Jose Rizal University, showing off the same form that gave San Beda College its first loss of the tournament, routed Mapua, 68-52 for its fourth straight win in the 84th NCAA men's basketball tournament yesterday at the Astrodome in Pasay City.

     Frontliners JR Sena scored 14 points and seven rebounds while Marvin Hayes added 11 points and nine boards for the Mandaluyong-based dribblers.

     The Heavy Bombers tied the Red Lions, whom they downed last Wednesday (76-74), for the second-best record of 4-2.

     "It's a good run, after we started 0-2, we won four straight and I hope we could end the first round on a bright note," said Heavy Bombers mentor Ariel Vanguardia.

     Pacesetting Letran, which will meet San Beda at the end of the first round on Wednesday, is unbeaten in six starts.

     Jose Rizal, which last won a championship in 1972, was dominating in the second half.

     "Dalawa lang ang maaaring mangyari after our big win against San Beda, it's either emotionally drained kami o ma-fired up ang mga bata.  Good thing, dinala nila ang momentum ng magandang laro namin last time out," added Vanguardia.

     Hayes and John Wilson joined hands to help the Heavy Bombers erect their biggest lead of the game, 61-39, with 5:43 left in the game.

     Mapua suffered its second straight setback and dropped to 4-3 slate.

     Neil Pascual had 13 points and 14 rebounds for the Cardinals, as their offense suffered with reigning MVP Kelvin dela Peña played sparingly due to back injury.

     The shooters of the Heavy Bombers waxed hot as Wilson and Marc Cagoco combined for 21 points.

     In the juniors division, Arvie Brigas had 27 points as titleholder San Sebastian Staglets completed a first round sweep with a 71-65 win over CSB-La Salle Greenhills.

     Keith Agovida scored tournament-high 59 points, 12 rebounds and 10 steals as the Jose Rizal Light Bombers routed Mapua-MSHS Red Robins, 130-60, while.

 

     The Scores:

     First Game (Jrs)

     Jose Rizal (130) – Agovida 59, Vigil 22, Madlangbayan 12, Saret 12, Villena 10, Mathias 4, Lorenzo 3, Barranco 2, Yasa 2, Chua 2, Oliveria 2, Viyal 0, Lontoc 0, Regis 0, Rodriguez 0.

     Mapua (60) – Alejandro 23, Basas 16, Pobre 10, Abad 6, Domingo 4, Roxas 1, Targa 0, Sevilla 0, Castillo 0.

     QS: 32-19; 66-33; 92-42; 130-60. 

     Second Game (Jrs)

     San Sebastian (71) – Bringas 27, Vosotros 12, Gusi 10, Ortuoste 7, Delgado J. 5, Andrada 4, Laconico 2, Delgado F. 2, Villarosa 2, Trinidad 0, Cam 0, De Guzman 0, Mamaril 0, Estrada 0, Mendoza 0.

     St. Benilde (65) – Reyes Mart. 21, Reyes Mikee 20, Franco 11, Henares 5, Cruz 4, Malimban 2, Flores 2, Quebral 0, Vergara 0, Tanhueco 0.

     QS: 11-18; 36-26; 58-42; 71-65.

     Third Game (Srs)

     Jose Rizal (68) – Sena 14, Hayes 11, Wilson 11, Cagoco 10, Bulangis 7, Nocom 6, Pradas 3, Wilson 2, Lopez 2, Njei 2, Almario 0, Apinan 0, Montemayor 0, Agas 0.

     Mapua (52) – Pascual N. 13, Mazo 9, Banal 6, Cinco 5, Mangahas 4, Cornejo 4, Palomique 3, Pascual J. 2, Sarangay 2, Acosta 2, Dela Peña 1, Ranises 1, Soriano 0, Espinosa 0, Guillermo 0.

     QS: 16-13; 32-26; 55-35; 68-52.