Bombers, Pirates notch close NCAA victories

JOSE Rizal U and Lyceum muddled up the Final Four race with pulsating victories yesterday in the 92nd NCAA basketball victories at Filoil Flying V Centre.

Swingman MJ Ayaay knocked in a lay-up in the dying seconds as the Pirates completed a sweep of their season series with defending champion Letran, 68-66, while the Heavy Bombers got back at first-round tormentor Mapua, 65-60, thanks to another clutch performance from Tey Teodoro. Ayaay drove past a couple of Letran defenders on his way to scoring his 16th point, before the Pirates watched McJour Luib miss a desperation triple to complete the reversal.

Rising to the challenge, Teodoro knocked in seven of his 22 points in the final period as the Bombers avenged their 71-74 loss to the Cardinals last June 25.

It marked the first time that the Bombers also nailed back-to-back wins this season, after stunning San Beda, 79-73, last week.

The Cardinals remained in fourth spot, despite slipping to 6-4, but the results meant that JRU, Lyceum and Letran are now locked in a three-way tie for fifth spot with 5-5 records.

“I told the players this is our only chance to get back at Mapua, otherwise we will have to wait next season,” said JRU coach Vergel Meneses. “It’s about time we play to our potential in the second round.”

Meneses singled out his “go-to-guy” Teodoro for bailing out the Bombers again with a clutch triple and a difficult lay-up that pushed the lead, 65-58, with 1:18 left.

Teodoro’s late explosion was part of a 20-11 turnaround in the final period for JRU, which trailed 45-49 at the end of the third quarter.
The Seniors scores:

First Game

JRU 65—Teodoro 22, Grospe 14, Pontejos 8, Poutouochi 5, Dela Paz 5, Dela Virgen 5, Lasquety 4, Cruz 2, Abdulrazak 0, Astilla 0.
MAPUA 60—Oraeme 15, Eriobu 11, Menina 11, Isit 8, Serrano 6, Estrella 4, Orquina 3, Victoria 2, Biteng 0, Bunag 0.
Quarters: 19-18, 35-32, 45-49, 65-60

Second Game

LYCEUM 68—Baltazar 18, Ayaay 16, Alanes 9, Nzeuseu 6, Caduyac 5, Gabayni 4, Marata 4, Alban 2, Serafico 2, Magbuhos 2, Soliman 0.
LETRAN 66—Nambatac 24, Sollano 19, Ambohot 8, Quinto 7, Balanza 5, Calvo 3, Apreku 0, Balagasay 0, dela Pena 0, Luib 0.
Quarters: 11-20, 37-41, 51-57, 68-66