Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Jose Rizal continued its second round tear, downing Lyceum, 68-58, Friday for its fourth straight victory in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
“Sabi ko lang sa kanila sa huddle, if we lose today, useless yung three wins namin,” said coach Vergel Meneses, as the Heavy Bombers now tied Mapua at fourth with a 7-5 card.
“I told them na let’s get back at LPU kasi pag hindi, next year na ang bawi natin dyan.”
Tey Teodoro shone for JRU anew, drilling 10 in the payoff period including a three from way out that put the finishing touches to another solid game.
He finished with 21 points on a 3-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc, alongside two assists.
“Na-challenge siya sa akin. Pinatunayan nya sa akin na kaya nya,” Meneses said of Teodoro.
Ervin Grospe chimed in 15 markers and five boards while Abdel Poutouochi got 14 points and seven rebounds, and Abdulwahab Abdulrazak added 11 markers and nine boards in the win.
“It’s an important win na nakuha namin,” said Meneses. “Di ako nawawalan ng pag-asa sa players ko. Alam ko ang kapasidad nila. Yun ang binabago ko sa mga players ko, na pagdating ng second round, nagiiba ang attitude ng team.”
The Heavy Bombers had to fend off the Adrian Alban-led Pirates fightback late.
Poutouochi’s jumper over the outstretched arms of Mike Nzeusseu followed by Teodoro’s three put the Pirates away.
Alban paced Lyceum (5-7) with 27 points and seven rebounds, while Nzeusseu got 10 markers and 17 boards in the defeat.
The scores:
JRU 68 – Teodoro 21, Grospe 15, Poutouochi 14, Abdul Wahab 11, Mendoza 4, Dela Virgen 3, Dela Paz 0, Pontejos 0, Lasquety 0, Cruz 0.
LYCEUM 58 – Alban 27, Nzeusseu 10, Ayaay 5, Alanes 4, Baltazar 4, Marata 4, Gabayni 4, Caduyac 0, Soliman 0, Serafica 0, Magbuhos 0, Malabanan 0.
Quarters: 17-17, 32-30, 46-41, 68-58.