AFTER misfiring in its first five games, Jose Rizal University finally hit the target yesterday.
Banking on a big fourth quarter push, the Heavy Bombers stunned College of St. Benilde, hacking out a 74-68 victory for their first win in the 97th NCAA basketball tournament at the La Salle Green Hills Gym in Mandaluyong.
John Delos Santos showed the way for JRU with a game-high 19 points, on top of 11 rebounds and three assists, while Jason Celis chipped in 17 markers, four boards, and two dimes.
With the hard-earned win, the Bombers rebounded from a 65-80 loss to the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals last Saturday and crashed the winner’s circle with a 1-5 slate.
CSB, coming off an 83-73 triumph over Perpetual Help also last Saturday, saw its four-game win run come to a screeching halt, no thanks to the absence of prized big man Will Gozum who left the match for good early in the third quarter due to a right foot injury.
The Blazers dropped to 4-2 for third behind defending champion Letran and San Beda University, both with unbeaten 4-0 cards.
JRU coach Louie Gonzalez said getting over the hump is bittersweet for the Shaw Boulevard-based cagers.
“Actually, sobrang sarap ng panalo kasi iyong campaign namin is really beyond the basketball court na. It’s beyond basketball. Sabi ko sa players iyong integrity ng team ay intact. When we started training talagang sinunod namin lahat ng protocols,” Gonzalez said.
“Ang pinakamalaking challenge is iyong ibang players nagcocompare sa ibang teams. . . How are you going to convince them na we will be fine basta sinusunod natin iyong rules and regulations, iyong protocols,” he added.
The Bombers took a 33-30 lead at the half but fell 49-50 going into the fourth quarter in a duel that turned into a seesaw battle.
AJ Benson sank two free throws that pulled CSB to within 68-71 in the final 1:30 but Marwin Dionisio answered with a layup that pegged a 73-68 count, only 38.0 ticks left.
Gozum scored 17 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and blocked five shots for the Blazers, while Benson had 13 markers.
Robi Nayve, Miggy Corteza, and Prince Carlos also added 12, 10, and 10, respectively for CSB.
“This is really big for us. Nakita namin na kaya pala naming tumapos. Sa mga past few games, ang talagang problema namin is finish,” Gonzalez said. “They showed character and they can finish every possession.”
