JOSE Rizal University averted an endgame collapse as it trounced St. Benilde, 72-66, yesterday to seize the early lead even as Letran got off to a rousing debut in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup.
The Heavy Bombers survived the four turnovers committed by Abdel Poutouochi and Razik Abdulwahab in the last 90 seconds, building enough cushion to grab their second straight victory.
Tey Teodoro fired 20 points and Poutouochi chipped in 10 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Bombers who followed up their impressive conquest of Far Eastern U last Saturday.
JR Ongteco led the Blazers with 12 points but the forward missed a dunk that could have kept St. Benilde in the game in the dying seconds.
The Knights spoiled University of San Jose Recoletos’ debut with an emphatic 89-66 victory earlier.
Tightening their defensive screws, the Knights forced the Jaguars to 32 turnovers that they converted into 23 points.
Knights coach Alvin Ayo expects a better performance in future outings.
“We need to improve more on our conditioning,” said Ayo.
Letran’s Bong Quinto and USJ-R’s RJ Dinolan were ejected for throwing punches in the second half. C. Tupas