Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Jose Rizal got back on the winning track, clipping St. Benilde, 71-63, Friday in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Tey Teodoro spearheaded the third quarter storm as he fired nine of his 11 points in the third frame, which saw the Heavy Bombers turn a close 38-33 halftime lead to a 54-36 edge.
“One game at a time. We have to win four more,” said coach Vergel Meneses, as JRU (8-6) kept itself in step with Mapua for the fourth spot.
“Nagawa namin yun last year. Paano pa this year? As long as we remain discplined and the desire to win is there, they want to prove something.”
Putting its sorry loss to EAC three days back, JRU drew huge contributions from Abdel Poutouochi and Paolo Pontejos, who both got 14 markers to topscore for the Heavy Bombers.
Yankie Haruna carried the 0-14 Blazers with 14 points.
Edward Dixon showed the light for St. Benilde early, as 12 of his 13 markers in the first half kept the Blazers in the game, but fell flat as the second half rolled on.
The Scores:
JRU 71 – Poutouochi 14, Pontejos 14, Teodoro 11, Grospe 8, Cruz 6, Abdul Wahab 5, Mendoza 4, Dela Virgen 4, Lasquety 2, Dela Paz 1, Astilla 1, Dada 1, Evardo 0.
ST. BENILDE 63 – Haruna 14, Dixon 13, Domingo 10, Saavedra 8, Young 6, Castor 4, Fajarito 4, Sta. Maria 4, Pajarillaga 0, Pasamante 0.
Quarters: 21-16, 38-33, 62-46, 71-63.