JRU adds to Letran’s woes as Teodoro steps up in OT

JRU’s Tey Teodoro celebrates a basket. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Jose Rizal University added another Final Four contender to its list of victims after scraping past Letran, 75-68, in overtime in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Tey Teodoro came up with the clutch baskets and wound up with a game-high 23 points, eight coming in the extra period.

“Before overtime, I committed an error and coach Vergel (Meneses) challenged me in overtime so I made it a point to be the one taking the shots,” said the hot shooting guard.

READ: Frustrated Meneses blasts JRU anew: No pride, heart on defense

In the final possession of regulation, Teodoro passed up on a shot and ended up turning the ball over as time ran out.

Teodoro took matters into his own hands in OT and his coach couldn’t be any more pleased seeing his players respond to his call.

“I just want to challenge them. I get mad at them, but they prove me wrong,” said JRU head coach Vergel Meneses after the Heavy Bombers streaked to their third straight win following victories over San Beda and Mapua.

READ: Meneses fuming over JRU’s 0-2 start: ‘My players have no pride’

Paolo Pontejos added 16 points, including two free throws with 1:34 remaining the fourth period that sent the game into overtime, while Abdoul Poutouochi just missed a double-double with eight points and 15 rebounds for JRU, which is now a game behind fourth-running Mapua in the standings.

But while the Bombers keep winning, the Knights just couldn’t get out of their funk as they dropped their fourth game in a row.

Rey Nambatac paced Letran (5-6) with 19 points, four assists and three steals but had six turnovers.