JRU gets the better of Arellano in triple OT

MANILA, Philippines–When the blitzkrieg isn’t enough, pure physical grit could do it.

With a match going the far distance, the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers let out the napalm to topple the Arellano University Chiefs, 99-98, in three overtimes in the National Collegiate Athletics Association of the Philippines at the Arena in San Juan Friday evening.

JRU scored 14 points in the third overtime period with Jaycee Asuncion scoring on two possessions to put the boards at 99-96 with 25 seconds remaining.

Abdul Abdul-Wahab drew first blood for the Heavy Bombers in the third extension putting JRU up 87-85.

Arellano had an eight-point lead going into the fourth, 51-43, until JRU pushed the attack button going on a 19-3 blitzkrieg to go up 67-62 with John Gorospe capping the offensive assault with a nifty finish at the break.

Heavy Bombers head coach Vergel Meneses said that the triple-overtime match came down to who wanted it more.

“It all boils down to who wants it more,” Meneses said as his team improves to a 4-3 slate for a tie with the Lyceum for fourth.

Meneses added that the desire to want it more fueled his team’s defensive instincts.

“If you can’t find a play designed for you, it’s fine, go play good defense,” Meneses said.

JRU had a four-point lead in the closing moments of regulation, 70-66, but two back-to-back layups courtesy of John Pinto and Dioncee Holts tied it at 70-all.

Philip Paniamogan, who was feeling under the weather before the game, missed a bail-out three from the left wing sending the game into the first overtime.

Arellano built a six-point gap in the first overtime, 78-72, with Holts draining a straight-away three with less than two minutes to play.

JRU then let out its artillery for a 7-0 sprint with Abdul-Wahab cashing in his two charities with 36.1 seconds remaining to give the Heavy Bombers a one-point bubble, 79-78.

Holts then sent the game into double OT with a single free-throw, 79-79.

Behind by four points, sub Bernabe Teodoro hit the clutch pedal scoring four-straight points from the paint to send the game to triple OT.

Meneses said that Paniamogan’s teammates should chip in for their sick gunner as Arellano holds a high spot in the NCAA totem pole.

“I told them that Philip was sick, other players would need to step up especially on the defensive end,” Meneses said.

Michael Mabulac and Asuncion had 21 points apiece with the former adding 19 boards to himself to pace the Heavy Bombers.

Abdul-Wahab joined the double-double fray with 18 points and 21 boards while adding two blocks.

Holts and Jiovani Jalalon had 25 and 21 points, respectively, for the Chiefs who dropped to a 5-2 record and a second-seed.