Bombers overcome Generals in overtime

MANILA, Philippines–Raycon Kabigting delivered in the stretch as Jose Rizal U hacked out a 74-70 overtime victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College Friday to gain a piece of third spot with Mapua in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying VArena in San Juan.

 

Kabigting, who played in the shadows of last season’s Most Valuable Player, John Wilson, shot 14 points, including five in the extra period, as the Heavy Bombers rallied from an eight-point deficit in the last three minutes of regulation before pouring it on in overtime to claim their fifth win in seven games.

 

Kabigting and Alex Almario buried consecutive triples as the Bombers put the Generals to the sword, 72-63, with 1:41 remaining.

 

It was a day of tight contests as Arellano U, shooting a season-high 57 percent from the field, earlier registered a 78-76 triumph overLetran to wrap up the elimination round with a 3-5 record.

 

Burly forward Gerald Lapuz scored a career-high 29 points and John Tayongtong added 13, including the Chiefs’ last five from the free throw line, as Arellano preserved the victory despite not getting a field goal in the last four minutes.

 

Arellano coach Leo Isaac attributed the win to his team’s impressive shot selection, which led to a 26-46 clip from the field.

 

“We took the best shot we could get at every possession and the discipline just came in,” said Isaac, who shortened his rotation to give the Chiefs a “competitive” edge.

 

But the ploy to have only eight players share the playing time nearly backfired as Isaiah Ciriacruz, Rocky Acidre and Lapuz fouled out in the fourth period.

 

Before fouling out with a minute left, Lapuz already stamped his mark on the game with one of the best individual efforts of the season.

 

The Chiefs climbed back from 15-31 down in the first period behind Lapuz who fired 17.

 

Down 75-77, the Knights still had a chance to tie but Jam Cortes could only muster a split from the stripe with 7 seconds remaining. Tayongtong also went 1-of-2 with 5 seconds remaining to peg the final score. 
The senior scores:
First Game
ARELLANO U 78—Lapuz 29, Celada 15, Tayongtong 13, Zulueta 9, Ciriacruz 4, Acidre 3, Caperal 3, del Rosario 2, Casino 0, Advincula 0.
LETRAN 76—Dysam 19, Ke. Alas 13, Belorio 12, Cortes 9, Belencion 8, Kr. Alas 7, Espiritu 5, Taplah 3, Pantin 0.
Quarters: 19-31, 45-38, 62-58, 78-76
Second Game
JRU 74—Kabigting 14, Almario 10, Hayes 10, Matute 9, Bulangis 9, Njei 7, Montemayor 5, Etame 4, Apinan 4, Lopez 2.
EAC 70—Vargas 24, Cubo 16, Mendoza 9, Santos 8, Lapitan 5, Villegas 2, Tuazon 2, R. Yaya 2, Chiong 2, Jamon 0, L. Yaya 0.
Quarters: 20-17, 34-30, 43-43, 57-57 (reg), 74-70