JOSE Rizal University nearly squandered what seemed an unassailable 20-point first half lead against the San Beda University Red Lions.
But the Heavy Bombers responded with resolve — something they lacked in their disappointing campaign last season — to eke out a nail-biting 83-80 escape yesterday for their fourth straight win in the 98th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
After forcing Ry Dela Rosa to a travelling violation, the Lions failed to pounce on the turnover as James Kwekuteye missed on a driving layup with 4.1 seconds remaining in the fourth.
Joshua Guiab sank one of his two free throws that sealed JRU’s big follow up to its 67-64 overtime decision over Mapua University five days ago and hiked its mark to 4-2 in a tie with San Beda for third.
The Lions came off a 76-68 triumph over defending two-time champion Letran last Friday.
Agem Miranda sizzled with a game-high 21 points, to go with three rebounds, and three assists for the Bombers, while John Amores added 19 markers, two boards, and two dimes.
It was JRU’s first win over San Beda in six years or since the Bombers posted a 97-88 second-round victory on Sept. 6, 2016.
Marwin Dionisio and Guiab finished with 16 and 14 points, respectively for JRU.
In the other game, Perpetual Help nipped Emilio Aguinaldo College 55-54 for its second win in a row.
Mark Omega notched a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Altas, while Joey Barcuma chipped in 10 markers, four caroms, and two feeds.
Perpetual came up with an encore to its 61-57 victory over San Sebastian College last Saturday and improved to 4-3 in a tie with Arellano University.
The Generals remained winless with their sixth straight setback, counting a 61-73 loss to College of St. Benilde four days ago.
“Iyong 20 points na lamang namin in the middle of the game, siguro iyon ang pinakamalaking kalaban namin. Are we gonna be satisfied winning by 20 but still we just have to win or we gonna this strong?” posed JRU coach Louie Gonzalez.
“Siguro ito ang babalikan ko later on kapag ni-review ko (iyong game). Anong nangyari at baka naging mali ang mindset namin na akala namin by leading by 20, tapos na laro kasi hindi naman kami mananalo talaga ng ganoon,” he added.
The Bombers took their biggest lead at 46-26 on a CJ Gonzales jumper at the 2:36 mark of the second quarter before they settled for a 49-33 spread at the halfway mark.
JRU still enjoyed a 66-58 edge heading into the payoff period.
The defeat put to naught JB Bahio’s 19 points and 10 rebounds for San Beda, while Gab Cometa had 15 markers.
Kwekuteye and Tony Ynot got 14 and 12 points, respectively for the Lions.
