W L
Letran 6 0
San Beda 4 2
Jose Rizal U 4 2
Mapua 4 3
SSC 3 4
St. Benilde 3 4
PCU 1 5
Perpetual 1 6
Games Wednesday (Cuneta Astrodome)
11:30 a.m. — SBC vs Letran (Juniors)
2 p.m. — JRU vs PCU (Seniors)
4 p.m. — Letran vs SBC (Seniors)
Unrelenting even after posting the biggest upset of the season, Jose Rizal University (JRU) routed Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT), 68-52, Friday for its fourth straight victory in the NCAA men's basketball tournament, in the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
JRU center James Sena poured in 14 points, including six in a key third quarter burst, as the Heavy Bombers raised their record to 4-2, after absorbing back-to-back losses in the first two games of the season.
“I think fatigue was a factor for the teams,” said JRU coach Ariel Vanguardia. “They [MIT Cardinals] were tired 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.”
The JRU Bombers dumped the two-time defending champion San Beda College Red Lions, 79-74, Wednesday.
San Sebastian College-Recoletos (SBC) registered a convincing 65-48 victory over College of St. Benilde in the last game of the day.
Jim Viray picked up 15 points, while Jason Ballesteros hauled a personal season-high of 19 rebounds and blocked four shots to power the Stags to their third win in seven games.
Both the Stags and Blazers wound up the first round tied at fifth.
MIT main man Kelvin de la Peńa played just six minutes because of back spasms, leaving the Cardinals without a go-to-guy in the third period. Neil Pascual paced MIT with 13 points, 11 coming in the first half.
In junior play, Keith Agovida posted 59 points, 12 rebounds and 10 steals to fuel the JRU Light Bombers past the Red Robins, 130-60.
Arvie Brigas had 27 points as the San Sebastian Staglets completed a first-round sweep with a 71-65 win over La Salle Greenhills.
The varsity scores:
Third Game (Seniors)
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.
MIT 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
Fourth Game (Seniors)
SSC 65—Viray 15, Maconocido 13, Del Rio 7, Ballesteros 7, Aquino 6, Saquillo 5, Najorda 4, Bulawan 4, Delgado 3, Raymundo 1, Semira 0, Bartolo 0, Taha 0.
ST. BENILDE 48 — Morial 22, Posadas 5, Manalac 4, Dalanon 4, Manlapaz 3, Johnston 3, Abolucion 2, David 2, Sevilla 2, Wong 1.
Quarters: 11-11, 32-24, 50-33, 65-48
