Heavy Bombers stun Green Archers at Filoil Cup
MANILA, Philippines—Jose Rizal University squandered a huge lead, but still managed to pull off a 69-68 upset of UAAP champion La Salle Saturday in the 2014 Flying V Hanes Premier Cup.
The Heavy Bombers overcame a comeback by the Green Archers from 18 points down, using a 6-0 run to regain the upperhand in the last two minutes en route to their third victory in group A.
After yielding the lead to La Salle on an 18-6 run in just a six minute span in the payoff period, JRU got back on track after a circus shot by Jordan Dela Paz, an undergoal stab by Philip Mabulac and a long jumper by Jaycee Asuncion.
“The composure and the poise of the players were there. This victory showed us our character,” said head coach Vergel Meneses.
“We had a good start, they were able to comeback because we didn’t execute well on offense. We have to learn from this, beating the no. 1 team in the UAAP.”
Michael Paniamogan fueled the Heavy Bombers’ blazing 44-26 first half output by scoring all but two of his 16 points. Tey Teodoro added 12 points including timely treys late in the third quarter which allowed JRU to stay ahead.
The Heavy Bombers, who led by as many as 42-24 late in the second, pounced on the Green Archers’ errant ways, turning 25 miscues into 17 turnover points.
“This win was a learning experience for us for the NCAA, so we know how to defeat champion teams like San Beda and La Salle,” Paniamogan said.
Missing the services of head coach Juno Sauler, the Green Archers absorbed their first loss of the tournament.
Jeron Teng led with 17 points, while Arnold Van Opstal and Almond Vosotros chipped in 13 each for La Salle, which managed to lead 65-61 with 3:52 to play but failed to hold on to the lead.
Jason Perkins had a chance to win the game for the Green Archers after he trimmed the Heavy Bombers’ lead to one, 68-69, with 32.4 ticks left but was unable to convert the final shot as time expired.
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