Abdul Sawat. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Jose Rizal University formally booked its Final Four ticket, outlasting Mapua, 62-58, Tuesday in the NCAA Season 93 men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
The Heavy Bombers improved their record to 11-6, sealing the third spot to join Lyceum and San Beda, which have already clinched seats in the playoffs.
Tey Teodoro fired 19 points despite shooting 1-of-7 from beyond the arc, to go with two rebounds and an assist.
Jed Mendoza chipped in 10 markers, three boards, and three dimes, while Abdul Sawat just missed out on a double-double with his nine points and seven rebounds.
Though the victory pushed JRU to the postseason, coach Vergel Meneses once again voiced his displeasure following what he felt was a lackluster showing from his boys.
“Honestly, I’m not happy about the win. They don’t want to follow instructions, they thought we can beat them all on offense, and that’s what happened,” he said.
The PBA great, then, set this game as a challenge for his wards to bounce back, especially as the Heavy Bombers take on the league-leading Pirates in their final elimination game on Friday.
“That’s my challenge to them. We don’t want to enter the Final Four with a loss,” he said.
Teodoro gave JRU a seven-point edge, 58-51, midway in the payoff period, but the Cardinals slowly chipped away the lead and got it down to as low as two, 58-56, courtesy of two freebies from Andoy Estrella.
Luckily, Ervin Grospe and Jed Mendoza scored cushion-building baskets in the final 3:27 before the Heavy Bombers defense held strong in the end game.
Almel Orquina carried Mapua (3-13) with 14 points and three rebounds, while Cedric Pelayo had 11 markers and five boards.
The Scores:
JRU 62 – Teodoro 19, Mendoza 10, Sawat 9, Grospe 8, Lasquety 6, Bordon 4, Abdulrazak 2, Poutouochi 2, David 2, Dela Virgen 0.
MAPUA 58 – Orquina 14, Pelayo 11, Bunag 10, Victoria 8, Estrella 8, Raflores 6, Aguirre 1, Gabo 0, Jimenez 0.
Quarters: 21-17, 36-32, 52-47, 62-58.