Abdel Poutouochi flexed his muscles and steered JRU to the top spot of Group A, blanking Adamson late in the game to take the 85-77 victory Friday in the Premier Cup at the Arena in San Juan.
The Cameroonian Poutouochi dominated the paint en route to his 20 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks in the win.
Dave Sanchez also had 17 markers and seven boards, while John Grospe added 12 for the Heavy Bombers
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“We’re on the top of the standings. We have to bring our game to the next level come the quarterfinals,” said JRU coach Vergel Meneses, as his squad finished the eliminations with a 7-1 slate. “This is our preparation for the NCAA. I want them to fight, but the important thing is we learn from our games.”
JRU broke free from a 69-all deadlock and unleashed a 15-5 run in the final four minutes of the game to erect a 10-point lead, 84-74, putting the nail in the coffin on the also-ran Falcons.
Adamson, which played its first game under interim coach Mike Fermin, bowed out of the competition with a 2-6 card.
Nico Capote led the Falcons with 17 points in the defeat.
The Scores:
JRU 85 – Poutouochi 20, Sanchez 17, Grospe 12, Pontejos 10, Balagtas 8, Aurin 8, Teodoro 4, Dela Paz 2, Lasquety 2, Dela Virgen 2, Abdulwahab 0.
Adamson 77 – Capote 17, Ochea 13, Tungcab 12, Nalos 11, Garcia 6, Ng 5, Bernardo 4, Polican 4, Baytan 2, Villanueva 2, Pedrosa 1, Barrera 0, Espleta 0.
Quarters: 21-16, 36-36, 58-55, 85-77.