JRU repulses St. Benilde, tightens grip on 3rd spot

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Jose Rizal University shrugged off the late surge from St. Benilde to take the 90-77 victory in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Tey Teodoro fired nine of his 16 points in the fourth quarter as he shot 2-of-5 from downtown, on top of two rebounds and three assists.

JRU enjoyed an 18-point lead, 53-35, in the third quarter before St. Benilde made a furious rally to slice the lead down to six, 67-61, early in the fourth period.

But Teodoro was there to douse the uprising, triggering the 17-7 killer run to push the Heavy Bombers’ lead to 84-68 with 3:42 left to play.

Meneses called out his players for once again falling to the trap of complacency after taking that big lead.

“They tend to relax when it comes to our defense. That can’t happen in the NCAA because any team can come back from any deficit,” he said.

Jed Mendoza topscored for the Heavy Bombers with 19 points, powered by his 4-of-6 three-point shooting clip, along with four boards and three dimes.

Ervin Grospe had 14 points and six assists, while Abdulwahab Abdulrazak chimed in a double-double of 12 markers and 10 rebounds in the victory.

“This win helps us in terms of us now seeing a glimpse of our chance making it to the Final Four,” said coach Vergel Meneses, as JRU tightened its hold on the third spot with a 9-6 card.

But the PBA legend refused to step on the brakes ahead of Heavy Bombers’ duel against San Sebastian on Friday.

“We’re hoping to still win against San Sebastian to better our chances,” he said.

Clement Leutcheu paced the skidding St. Benilde (3-12) with 25 points and 10 rebounds, while Dino San Juan had 14 markers and three boards in the defeat.

The Scores:

JRU 90 – Mendoza 19, Teodoro 16, Grospe 14, Abdulrazak 12, Dela Virgen 9, David 8, Sawat 5, Lasquety 4, Poutouochi 3, Castor 0, Mariano 0, Mate 0.

ST. BENILDE 77 – Leutcheu 25, San Juan 14, Domingo 10, Dixon 9, Belgica 7, Naboa 6, Johnson 3, Suarez 2, Castor 1, Pili 0, Sta. Maria 0, Velasco 0, Mercado 0.

Quarters: 21-20, 51-35, 67-59, 90-77.