Jose Rizal University came back from a 13-point first half deficit as it downed Letran, 76-72, to grab the solo lead in the 84^th NCAA seniors basketball tournament yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.

Bigmen JR Sena and Marvin Hayes connived in the Heavy Bombers’ 25-11 attack to take a 48-47 lead with 3:31 left in the third canto.

The win propelled the Mandaluyong-based dribblers to solo lead with an 8-2 win-loss card, while Letran fell to second with a 7-2 record.

 “We were at lost in the first half but we found ourselves back in the second half. It was the breaks of the game and we made crucial stops down the stretch,” JRU coach Ariel Vanguardia said.

The Knights posted the biggest lead, 36-23, after a three-pointer jumper by Kojack Melegrito in the second period.

After the Bombers’ rallied back, they registered a couple of seven-point leads before Letran uncorked a 9-2 salvo capped by two free throws from Dino Daa for a 72-72 deadlock with 54.8 ticks left.

However, a five-second violation called against RJ Jazul, who was shooting bricks all game with a dismal 1-of-15 shooting, in the last 12.1 seconds spelled doom for the Knights.

Sena had 19 markers and nine rebounds to lead JRU while Marc Cagoco contributed 16.

In the first game, also-ran Philippine Christian University put College of Saint Benilde on the brink of elimination with a 63-47 victory.

Although coach Joel Dualan decided to bench his veterans Beau Belga and Leimar Navarro, he got solid games from Jetterson Vidal, Tim McCoy and Marlon Gomez to snap a four-game losing streak.

“Kahit na natalo kami sa San Beda last time around, maganda ang ipinakita ng 11 players ko kaya I gave them a second chance. Itong mga remaining games namin, we want to give our best dahil maligaya kami dito sa NCAA,” Dualan said.

Vidal collected 17 points, eight rebounds and three steals while Gomez and McCoy added 10 points apiece for PCU, whose return to the league next year remains uncertain.

The Dolphins won only their second game in 10 starts, while the Blazers, who are playing without Archie David, who is serving a one-game suspension, fell to 3-7.

In the juniors division, Kevin Alas scattered 36 points and added six steals as the Letran Squires nipped the JRU Light Bombers in overtime, 120-119, for a 6-2 card. 

 

The Scores

 

First Game (Jrs)

Letran (120) – Alas 36, Sumang 22, Ongtenco 17, Tampus 16, Khobuntin 16, Vasig 12, Roxas 1, Sugahara 0.

Jose Rizal (119) – Agovida 39, Saret 25, Madlangbayan 18, Villena 13, Vigil 13, Mathias 5, Roxas 1, Regis 0, Lontoc 0, Barranco 0, Yasa 0.

QS: 23-28; 55-56; 84-80; 103-103; 120-119.

 

Second Game (Srs)

PCU (63) – Vidal 17, McCoy 10, Gomez 10, Arce 8, Busa 6, Allen 5, Amparado 4, Siruma 3, Sumera 0, Asuncion 0, San Pedro 0.

St. Benilde (47) – Morial 12, Mañalac 7, Abolucion 6, Dalanon 5, Montecastro 5, Dela Paz 4, Sevilla 4, Johnston 2, Manlapaz 2, Posadas 0, Umlas 0.

QS: 8-8; 28-20; 47-35; 63-47.

 

Third Game (Srs)

Jose Rizal (76) – Sena 19, Cagoco 16, Hayes 11, Wilson 10, Agas 5, Bulangis 4, Nocom 4, Njei 4, Pradas 3.

Letran (72) – Melegrito 24, Daa 18, Guevarra 18, Latonio 4, Jazul 4, Cabonce 2, Cortes 2, Dangcal 0, Foronda 0, Del Rosario 0.

QS: 19-25; 34-41; 53-52; 76-72