NCAA: Bombers drop the anchor on Pirates

JRU head coach Vergel Meneses commended his team’s defensive effort in a 67-43 win over Lyceum Monday night. Mark Giongco

MANILA, Philippines — Jose Rizal University shut down Lyceum, 67-43, in one of the best defensive performances in the NCAA Season 90 men’s basketball tournament Monday night at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Heavy Bombers raced to a commanding lead early, 18-4, and never relented on both ends of the floor – dropping the anchor on the Pirates, who went on to score just 43 points, the lowest output by a team this season.

“The players were just motivated to win the game because we lost to Lyceum in the first round,” said JRU head coach Vergel Meneses.

After holding Lyceum down to just four points in the opening quarter, JRU limited its opponent to nine points in the final period and 26% shooting from the field overall.

The Bombers were solid on defense and its main man Philip Paniamogan, the sharp-shooting guard, took care of the offensive side of things with 23 points on 4-of-7 shooting from downtown while going 9-of-12 at the free throw line.

Michael Mabulac also came through for JRU, which tied Perpetual Help in third place with identical 8-4 records, with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Next up for the Bombers are the streaking Altas, who earlier disposed of the Arellano Chiefs.

“We can’t afford to commit mistakes against them (Perpetual Help),” said Meneses, who didn’t like how his squad turned the ball over 21 times.

Wilson Baltazar was the lone Pirate who notched double-digit scoring with 11 points. Lyceum dropped to 5-7.

JRU once owned the lowest scoring output this season when it reached just 49 points in a loss to San Beda in the season opener.

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