WITH nothing but pride and bragging rights at stake, Jose Rizal University made sure its season marred by controversies ended on a rousing note yesterday.
The Heavy Bombers stunned reigning two-time champion Letran, pulling off an 87-71 victory in the 98th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Ry Dela Rosa scattered a game-high 22 points built on six three-pointers for JRU, while Marwin Dionisio backed him up with 16 markers, five rebounds, and three assists.
Joshua Guiab, JL Delos Santos, and Agem Miranda also had 14, 11, and 11 points, respectively, for the Bombers, who atoned for a 61-70 loss to San Beda University five days ago and ended with a 7-11 slate.
The Knights, coming off a 74-58 pummeling of Mapua University last Saturday, dropped to No. 2, armed with a twice-to-beat advantage, with a 13-5 card in the Final Four that begins Tuesday next week at the same venue.
Letran takes on third-ranked Lyceum, while No. 1 College of St. Benilde, also with a win-once incentive in the semifinals, battles fourth seed San Beda.
“Kami naman, doon sa preparation, maayos naman iyong inilaro namin against doon sa last game namin. Again, tulad ng simula, more importantly to us is how kami maglalaro,” JRU coach Louie Gonzalez said. “I don’t know kung ano ang lalaruin ng Letran. Definitely, gusto manalo niyan kasi siyempre gusto rin naman nilang pumasok doon sa Final Four on (a) high note pero kami iyon talaga iyon game plan is let’s try to do things.
“Ito iyong gawin natin — ilabas natin iyong natutunan natin throughout the season and play with confidence as long as you do it doon sa boundaries ng sistema natin kasi iyon ang gusto kong makita, that’s what I told the boys,” he added.
Earlier, Mapua University turned back San Sebastian College 75-67 to end its season on a high.
Paolo Hernandez fired 22 points, on top of eight rebounds, and five assists for the Cardinals, while Rence Nocum added 17 markers and four boards.
Jasper Salenga also had 14 and four for Mapua, which finished its campaign with a 7-11 record.
