Bombers thwart Lions; Knights still unscathed
By Cedelf P. Tupas
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:07:00 07/24/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Letran College preserved its unbeaten record with another come-from-behind win while Jose Rizal University dealt San Beda College its first loss in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
The Letran Knights drew clutch baskets from Dino Daa and Carl Melegrito in the final minute to subdue Mapua Institute of Technology, 67-60, for their sixth straight win after the JRU Heavy Bombers humbled the defending champion San Beda Red Lions with a 79-74 upset.
San Beda could lose one more game in a span of hours if the NCAA Management Committee upholds the protest of College of St. Benilde over the wrong uniform infraction of Sam Ekwe following the Lions’ 71-54 victory Friday.
Swingman John Wilson knocked in big triples inside the final 1:26 as the Heavy Bombers improved to 3-2.
The 6-foot-1 Wilson’s last three-pointer in front of the JRU bench with 14 seconds remaining sealed the victory for the Heavy Bombers, who won against San Beda for the first time under coach Ariel Vanguardia, whose feud with Lions mentor Frankie Lim grabbed the limelight before the game.
“This is an emotional win,” said Vanguardia. “They were playing zone and I told the players to shoot the three if they are open. Good thing the big men were committed to get the offensive rebounds”
The Bombers, who were playing catch-up until the end of the third quarter, grabbed 27 offensive boards on the way to a 52-43 edge against the league’s top rebounding team.
Mark Cagoco hit 18 points, including four triples in the second half. His last three gave the Bombers a 69-62 edge with 3:30 left before Ogie Menor tied the game again with a three-point play with 2:10 left.
The Red Cubs gained a split for San Beda by downing the JRU Light Bombers, 89-81, while the Letran Squires routed the Mapua Robins, 136-53.
Seniors scores:
JOSE RIZAL 79—Sena 18, Cagoco 18, Bulangis 9, Wilson, 9, Nocom 8, Kabigting 7, Hayes 6, Njei 4, Agas 0, Montemayor 0, Pradas 0, Almario 0.
SAN BEDA 74—Escobal 16, Menor 16, Hermida 10, Lanete 8, Ekwe 8, Gamalinda 6, Taganas 6, Pascual 5, Taupa 4, Tirona 0, Marcelo 0.
Quarters: 15-14, 35-37, 54-52, 79-74
LETRAN 67—Daa 17, Guevarra 14, Jazul 10, Melegrito 8, Cabonce 4, Foronda 4, Del Rosario 3, Dangcal 2, Cortez , Gutilban 2, Latonio 1, Ranises 0.
MAPUA 60—Mazo 18, Mangahas 11, N. Pascual 10, Banal 6, Dela Pena 5, Acosta 4, Guillermo 3, J. Pascual , Sarangay 1, Soriano 0.
Quarters: 18-21, 34-32, 53-51, 67-60
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