JOSE Rizal U’s Jaycee Asuncion (right) forces a shot off a San Sebastian triple team in yesterday’s game at Filoil Flying V Arena. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Philip Paniamogan again delivered when it mattered for Jose Rizal U yesterday.
Behind Paniamogan’s hot shooting, the Heavy Bombers turned back the San Sebastian Stags, 82-77, to book a return trip to the Final Four in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Paniamogan shot 24 points, keying a second-half surge that propelled the Bombers to their 12th win and secured their first Final Four appearance in three seasons.
“It’s nice to be back in the Final Four,” said Bombers coach Vergel Meneses, who was also at the helm in 2011, when JRU nailed a postseason spot. “The players were determined to make it this season and worked hard for it.”
Earlier, St. Benilde stayed in the Final Four hunt following an 87-76 triumph over shorthanded Mapua.
Jonathan Grey fired 19 points and grabbed six rebounds while Juan Paolo Taha and Pons Saavedra chipped in 13 apiece for the Blazers, who improved to 11-6.
Another St. Benilde win over Letran tomorrow will send the Blazers into a playoff with Perpetual Help for the last Final Four spot.
The Bombers actually finished with the same win-loss card of 12-6 as the Altas but JRU owns the superior quotient in the event of a triple tie for third place.
Luis Sinco fired 11 points in the third quarter as the Blazers ripped the game wide open after a tense first half.
“Our win today won’t mean anything if we don’t beat Letran on Wednesday,” said St. Benilde coach Gabby Velasco.
Leaving little to chance, the Bombers raced to a double-digit advantage in the first quarter before the Stags found their rhythm. Paniamogan caught fire in the third period as the Bombers built a 21-point cushion.
Compounding the Stags’ woes was the ejection of coach Topex Robinson in the third period for complaining. With a 5-13 record this season, the Stags missed out on the Final Four for the first time since 2009.
Mapua, which ended the season with a 4-14 card, showed plenty of fight despite having only seven players due to suspensions and injuries.
The scores
First Game
ST. BENILDE 87—Grey 19, Taha 13, Saavedra 13, Sinco 11, Romero 6, Bartolo 6, Ongteco 4, Jonson 2, Nayve 2, Argamino 2, Flores 2, Altamirano 2, Pajarillaga 0, Mercado 0, Deles 0.
MAPUA 76—Biteng 23, Serrano 17, Canaynay 12, Saitanan 11, Eriobu 8, Estrella 3, Cantos 2.
Quarters: 15-9, 37-33, 66-52, 87-76
Second Game
JRU 82—Paniamogan 24, Benavides 13, Mabulac 13, Teodoro 10, Asuncion 10, Abdul Wahab 6, Sanchez 3, Grospe 3, Astilla 0, Lasquety 0, Balagtas 0.
SAN SEBASTIAN 77—Ortuoste 22, Camasura 13, Perez 13, Guinto 9, Dela Cruz 7, Balucanag 7, Yong 4, Aquino 2, Calisaan 0, Fabian 0, Santos 0.
Quarters: 22-11, 37-32, 69-55, 82-77