Like A ticking time bomb, Philip Paniamogan exploded just in time for Jose Rizal U.
Paniamogan fired all of his 26 points in the second half as the Heavy Bombers repulsed the Mapua Cardinals, 87-78, yesterday for their fourth straight victory in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena.
After missing all his five shots in the first half, the Cagayan de Oro-born gunner highlighted a JRU rally in the fourth period with three straight triples, enabling the Bombers to pull away and improve to 6-3 for solo third.
“I played more relaxed in the second half and played within our system,” said Paniamogan who made five triples.
Earlier, Emilio Aguinaldo College pounced on an out-of-sync San Sebastian for a 71-56 win.
John Tayongtong sustained his solid play with 17 points, including eight in the final period as the Generals closed out the first round with a 3-6 record to tie their victims at seventh spot.
“It’s nice to end the first round with a win,” said EAC coach Gerry Esplana. “We wanted to neutralize their scorers.”
The scores:
First Game
EAC 71—Tayongtong 17, Jamon 16, Happi 13, Arquero 12, Serrano 4, Onwubere 4, Saludo 2, Aguilar 1,
King 0, Mejos 0, General 0, Pascual 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 56—Perez 18, Dela Cruz 9, Yong 9, Guinto 8, Pretta 5, Ortuoste 3, Calisaan 2, Camasura 2, Fabian 0, Costelo 0, Aquino 0, Santos 0, Mercado 0.
Quarters: 14-15, 33-28, 49-42, 71-56
Second Game
JRU 87—Paniamogan 26, Benavides 17, Teodoro 12, Asuncion 11, Abdulwahab 7, Mabulac 5, Grospe 4, Sanchez 3, Balagtas 2, Salaveria 0.
MAPUA 78—Isit 21, Eriobu 16, Biteng 12, Saitanan 8, Cantos 8, Serrano 5, Layug 4, Gabo 2, Estrella 2, Canaynay 0, Tubiano 0.
Quarters: 16-19, 38-41, 68-63, 87-78