Final-four bound JRU hikes winning streak to six

ANYBODY’S BALL Byron Villarias of JRU reaches for the ball as team mate Ralph Monserrat is sandwiched by Russell Yaya and Jan Jamon, both of EAC, during the two schools’ match-up in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan on Monday, October 10, 2011. JRU won, 90-77 PHOTO BY AUGUST DE LA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines—Jose Rizal University (JRU) rose from a double-digit hole to upend Emilio Aguinaldo College, 90-77, to end the elimination round with a six game winning streak in the 87th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Forward John Lopez collected 17 points, five rebounds, five assists, one steal and a block for the final-four bound Heavy Bombers, the No. 4 seed at 9-9.

JRU stared at a double-digit deficit at the half before turning it up a notch in the pivotal third quarter where the Bombers outscored the Generals, 30-14.

Jeckster Apinan, whom coach Vergel Meneses cited as JRU’s X-Factor, added 14 points on top of six rebounds and three steals.

EAC dictated the tempo early on as it built a 42-32 buffer at the intermission behind Elyzer Paguia’s 13 first half points.

Paguia finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three blocks.

The Generals ended their season with a woeful 4-14 record.

JRU was on cue on both ends of the floor as it shot 52% from the field and forced EAC to commit 26 turnovers.

EAC’s Milan Vargas, the former UST swingman, had a game-high 20 points.