MANILA, Philippines — Jose Rival University arrested a five-game slide and routed Mapua, 73-56, Thursday in the NCAA season 89 men’s basketball tournament at the Arena in San Juan.
Unlike in their past games, the Bombers sustained their momentum and capped it with a solid fourth quarter to put down the upset-minded Cardinals.
“Four of our last games, we could not close out and finish strong. So this is a good win for us,” said head coach Vergel Meneses.
Michael Mabulac had a team-best 19 points and 12 boards, Philipp Paniamogan added 18 points in keeping JRU’s final four chances alive.
At 6-8, the Bombers still have an outside chance of making it to the semifinals as they trail fifth seed Emilio Aguinaldo College (8-7) and fourth running San Sebastian (8-6).
The Cardinals, the league’s worst-performing team this year, even outrebounded JRU, 46-38, but were doomed by their 21 turnovers.
Mapua reeled to its 14th setback with just a win to its name.