INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATE) Jose Rizal University sustained its lethal form Friday by dumping Mapua, 68-52, Friday in the National Collegiate Athletic Association men's basketball tournament at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

Center James Sena poured 14 points, including six in a key third quarter burst, as the Heavy Bombers notched their fourth straight victory after losing their first two games of the season.

"We stopped their transition game and that spelled the difference," said JRU coach Ariel Vanguardia, whose team moved up to a tie at second with San Beda.

The Cardinals fell to solo third with a 4-3 slate as they closed out their first-round campaign the same way they started it --- a double-digit loss.

Mapua's top gun Kelvin Dela Pena played just six minutes because of back spasms, leaving the Cardinals without a go-to-guy when they were firing blanks in the third period.

"I think fatigue was a factor for the teams. They [Cardinals] were tired because following the loss to Letran and we were also tired but we were coming off a big win against San Beda and that helped our confidence," said Vanguardia.

Marvin Hayes added 11 points and collared nine rebounds for the Bombers, who outscored the Cardinals, 23-9, in the third period to build a 55-35 cushion heading into the final quarter.

The Scores:

JRU 68 --- Sena 14, Wilson 11, Hayes 11, Cagoco 10, Bulangis 7, Nocom 6, Pradas 3, Njei 2, Lopez 2, Kabigting 2, Almario 0, Apinan 0 Montemayor 0, Agas 0.

MAPUA 52 -- Pascual N. 13, Mazo 9, Banal 6, Cinco 5, Cornejo 4, Mangahas 4, Palomique 3, Pascual J. 2, Sarangay 2, Acosta 2, Ranises 1, Soriano 0, Espinosa 0, Guillermo 0.

Quarters: 16-13, 32-26, 55-35, 68-52