NCAA: JRU sends San Sebastian to seventh straight loss

MANILA — Jose Rizal University kept San Sebastian in the hunt for win No. 1, cruising to a 102-78 win in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament on Friday at the PhilSports Arena. 

The Heavy Bombers dealt the Golden Stags their seventh loss in as many games while hiking their win streak to three.

“We started flat. ‘Yong effort at energy na hinahanap namin, ‘di nila nabigay kaya no’ng halftime, sinabi ko ‘yon sa dugout,” coach Nani Epondulan said after steering JRU to 5-1 in Group A.

“Credit to the boys and players na nagrespond sa [mga] sinabi ko.”

The Bombers held a slim 56-51 lead early in the penultimate period before unloading a 16-5 rally capped off by a Chris Hubilla triple at the 3:44 mark for the 72-56 lead.

JRU ended up entering the fourth quarter with a convincing 75-63 advantage.

The Stags played catch up, but ran out of steam and dropped to 0-7 in the tournament.

Lawrence Mangubat top scored for JRU anew with 20 points. Hubilla, meanwhile, registered a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds. Jahmir Eligado and Jalen Garcia also chipped in 12 and 13, respectively, in the win.

Niel Castor finished with 17 markers for Baste. Ralph Gabat scored 12 whileDash Cuya scattered 10 in the defeat.

JRU 102 – Mangubat 20, Hubilla 14, Garcia 13, Eligado 12, Salvador 11, Penaverde 9, Herrera 6, Garupil 5, Laurenaria 5, Palis 4, Duque 3, Bagro 0, Panapanaan 0, Agemenyi 0, Castillo 0

SSC R 78 – Castor 17, Gabat 12, Cuya 10, Suico 8, Ynot 7, Alforque 5, Velasco 5, Barroga 5, Muktimar 3, Segovia 2, Ricio 2, Chuidian 2, Bacani 0, Dimaunahan 0, Cruz 0

Quarter scores: 22-20, 51-44, 75-63, 102-78