JRU Bombers, Lyceum Pirates boost NCAA Final Four bid

MANILA Philippines—Jose Rizal University and Lyceum tightened up the Final Four race with contrasting victories in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament Monday at the Fil-Oil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Sticking to their solid defensive game plan, the Bombers dumped a St. Benilde side recently deserted by its main man, 78-63, to improve their record to 6-9.

Lyceum joined the Bombers in fifth spot with the same slate as the Pirates rallied from 10 points down in the last five minutes to down Emilio Aguinaldo College, 77-73, in the first game.

The Bombers and the Pirates moved half a game behind Mapua, which is running fourth with a 6-8 card.

“We’re still alive,” said JRU coach Vergel Meneses. “We have a chance and we’ll go for it.”

San Sebastian (15-0), Letran (11-2) and San Beda (10-2) already claimed the first three seats in the Final Four, leaving four teams in close contention for the last semifinal berth.

Jeckster Apinan delivered 17 points, 10 rebounds and three steals, sparking the Bombers in a third-quarter breakaway, 60-46, after a close first half, 40-35.

“We’re not as talented [compared to other teams], so we really have to work hard on defense,” said Meneses. “Our defense is what we should be known for.”

The Blazers, still in the semifinal mix despite dropping to 5-9, have lost two key players.

Carlo Lastimosa, the 2010 Rookie of the Year who averaged 15 points, left the Blazers late last week following a disagreement with school officials on academic policies regarding student-athletes.

The sudden departure of the nephew of former PBA cager Jojo Lastimosa came after forward Mark Romero also left the team early this month as his family migrated to the United States.

Raycon Kabigting fired 14 points and Nate Matute scored all of his 11 points in the second half to help the Bombers streak to their third straight triumph.

Lyceum drew big games from Floricel Guevarra (21 points and seven rebounds) and Mark Francisco (19 points, 18 rebounds and three blocks) as the Pirates rose from a 57-67 deficit midway in the fourth quarter.

The Pirates snapped a four-game skid.

The scores:
First Game
LYCEUM 77—Guevarra 21, Francisco 19, Cayabyab 12, Ko 11, Laude 6, Napiza 3, Mallari 3, Pascual 2, Lesmoras 0.
EAC 73—Cubo 29, Paguia 10, Chiong 9, Jamon 7, Morada 5, Torralba 4, Vargas 4, Yaya 3, King 2, Villegas 0, Sanchez 0, Diolanto 0.
Quarters: 16-20, 30-30, 49-50, 77-73
Second Game
JOSE RIZAL 78—Apinan 17, Kabigting 14, Matute 11, Lopez 10, Villarias 9, Almario 7, Paniamogan 4, Montemayor 2, Monserat 2, Mendoza 0.
ST. BENILDE 63—Taha 14, Pate 13, Grey 12, Tan 10, Altamirano 4, McCoy 4, Dela Paz 4, Sinco 2, Munsngi 0, Deles 0, De Guzman 0, Carlos 0, Nayve 0.
Quarters: 20-22, 40-35, 66-52, 78-63