NCAA: JRU whips winless EAC for first win

JRU’s Agen Miranda. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—A high-scoring Jose Rizal University dusted off Emilio Aguinaldo College, 97-74, in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena on Saturday.

The Heavy Bombers, who hit 12 3-pointers, bounced back from their 101-97 overtime loss to the Letran Knights on Wednesday.

“We were able to execute first before we took those threes. Those were not hurried shots. To me, I told them, my faith in them never wavered, in time those shots would go in,” JRU head coach Louie Gonzales said.

Up, 52-41, at the intermission, the Heavy Bombers widened the gap in the third quarter after unloading an 11-0 run with five minutes left.

JRU, which tallied its first win after opening the season with two straight losses, buried the Generals even more in the fourth quarter, leading by as many as 27, 87-60.

Agen Miranda and William Sy led the Heavy Bombers with 20 points each for the win. JL Delos Santos chipped in 17 points, five rebounds and four assists. JRU also drew a double-double performance from John Amores with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Nat Cosejo poured in 27 points and seven boards in the loss for EAC, which remained winless at 0-3. Ralph Robin and Allen Liwag scored 18 and 15, respectively.