NCAA: JRU overcomes St. Benilde, clinches twice-to-beat bonus

MANILA — Jose Rizal University will have a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament after beating College of St. Benilde, 85-79, on Friday at the San Juan Arena.

The Heavy Bombers ended their elimination round with a 10-3 record, the best in the pool as of writing just above San Beda (8-3).

“Coming into the game today, alam naman namin kung ga’no kaimportante ‘to,” said coach Nani Epondulan.

“I told them na matagal ng nakalimutan ‘tong school natin. I told them, they’re writing history so hangga’t hawak namin kapalaran namin, tatrabahuhin lang namin.”

JRU was protecting a 79-70 lead in the fourth quarter when the Blazers scored five unanswered points to cut the deficit to four, 79-75, with 1:34 to play.

Lawrence Mangubat, however, responded with a tough bucket from midrange to extend the lead to six, 81-75, with 23 ticks to go.

Ian Torres knocked down a clutch three-pointer to give St. Benilde some hope, but Mangubat completed a perfect trip at the line to keep the Blazers at bay in the closing seconds.

Mangubat finished with 27 points to pace JRU, while Sean Salvador and Jahmir Eligado turned in 16 markers each.

John Morales top scored for the Blazers with 16 points while Justine Sanchez had 13 in the loss that gave Benilde an 8-4 record.

Benilde’s loss also saw the return of two-time league MVP Allen Liwag, who played sparingly with 15 minutes to end up with six points and three rebounds.

JRU 85 – Mangubat 27, Salvador 16, Eligado 16, Laurenaria 9, Palis 6, Masiglat 5, Penaverde 4, Garupil 2, Agemenyi 0, Panapanaan 0

CSB 79 – Morales 16, Sanchez 13, Moore 9, Torres 8, Cajucom 7, Ancheta 6, Liwag 6, Celis 6, Lorenzo 3, Podador 3, Galas 2, Jucom 0

Quarter scores: 20-23, 45-39, 69-59, 85-79