JRU seizes Final 4 berth

MANILA, Philippines–STUCK IN JOSE RIZAL U coach Vergel Meneses’ doghouse the past few games, John Nchotu Njei returned with aplomb to propel the Bombers to a 67-64 win over the Arellano Chiefs and a Final Four berth in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament.

 

The 6-foot Njei, a recruit from Cameroon, struck 10 of his 13 points in a decisive third-quarter run that allowed the Bombers to seize control and help JRU escape with its ninth victory in 12 outings.

 

“I’m happy he is proving himself to me, but he should be consistent,” said Meneses, who limited Njei’s minutes because of “disciplinary reasons” which he refused to reveal.

 

“It’s a good achievement,” said Meneses of the Bombers’ Final Four stint for the fourth straight year. “But that’s not our target.”

 

The last time the Bombers won the NCAA crown was in 1972 with a squad led by former Crispa Redmanizer Philip Cezar.

 

San Sebastian averted an upset, coming alive in the fourth quarter to pull off a 72-63 win over Perpetual Help in the second game.

 

In junior action, SSC nipped Perpetual Help, 60-55, to improve to 7-4, while JRU rallied to edge Arellano U, 91-83, in a fight-marred contest that saw the ejection of three players.

 

The senior scores:
First Game
JRU 67—Njei 13, Matute 10, Lopez 10, Apinan 8, Hayes 6, Almario 4, Etame 4, Montemayor 4, Kabigting 4, Bulangis 4
ARELLANO 64—Celada 30, Lapuz 12, Tayongtong 11, del Rosario 4, Zulueta 3, Casino 2, Ciriacruz 2, Caperal 0, Anquilo 0
Quarters: 16-16, 32-29, 59-48, 67-64
Second Game
SAN SEBASTIAN 72—Abueva 14, Raymundo 14, Sangalang 10, Bulawan 9, Gorospe 8, Semira 7, Maconocido 5, del Rio 3, Gatchalian 2, Dela Cruz 0
PERPETUAL HELP 63—Alano 15, Ynion 10, Arboleda 10, Danganan 10, Vidal 6, Allen 6, Elopre 5, Sumera 1, Kintanar 0.
Quarters: 11-14, 25-33, 46-47, 72-63