JRU Heavy Bombers march to NCAA semis
THE semifinal cast for Season 93 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is now three-fourths complete with the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers officially in.
Needing to win one more game to have both feet in the Final Four, the Kalentong- based Bombers immediately grabbed on the opportunity by beating the Mapua Cardinals, 62- 58, to notch the semis spot-clinching win with a game to spare in its elimination schedule.
JRU with the win joined the Lyceum Pirates (160) and defending champions San Beda Red Lions (15-1) as early qualifiers.
The Bombers though had to sweat it out as Mapua, despite already out of the running, played tough and with much pride.
JRU had it rough right from the starting gates, laboring to a 21-17 lead at the end of the first period.
The slugfest continued in the second canto but the Bombers would continue to maintain control and the advantage by the halftime break, 36-32.
The Cardinals, on a two-game win streak entering the contest, continued to charge back, cutting JRU’s lead to one point, 38-37, early in the frame.
The Bombers though would regain their footing and steadied anew to create distance and hold a 52-47 lead at the end of the third period.
Unrelenting still in its upset mission, Mapua kept coming back in the final quarter, slicing the Bombers’ advantage, 58-56, with under five minutes remaining.
Ervin Grospe and Jed Mendoza conspired for four points after to extend their lead back to six, 62-56.
Its a distance the Bombers would take advantage and not let go of en route to annexing the win.
Teytey Teodoro had 19 points to lead JRU while Mendoza and Abdul Sawat finished with 10 and nine points, respectively.
Almel Orquina led Mapua ( 3-13) with 14 points.
“We are glad to have gotten the win but it was not a pretty victory for us. We were not able to execute our game plan the way we wanted to,” said winning coach Vergel Meneses.
With JRU’s victory, only left to be settled is the final spot with three teams, namely the Letran Knights (8-8), San Sebastian Stags (7-8) and Arellano Chiefs (6-9), still contesting it.
As of press time, San Sebastian and Arellano are playing.