FILE–JRU Heavy Bombers in NCAA Season 98. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Jose Rizal University snagged an eventful win over Arellano, 70-67, in the first round of the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday.
The Heavy Bombers, who moved up to 2-2 in the standings, escaped a physical Chiefs team thanks to a Ry Dela Rosa three-point basket down the stretch.
“I really trust him. I know, all game, he was missing, but I trust my players like that and I know that shot, he will take it,” JRU head coach Louie Gonzalez said at San Juan Arena on Wednesday.
With the score tied at 67, JL Delos Santos drove the lane and kicked the ball out to Dela Rosa in the corner for a clutch triple, 70-67.
The game, however, did not end there.
With 4.8 seconds remaining, the Chiefs inbounded the ball to Cade Flores who attempted a triple with Delos Santos in front of him to tie but missed.
Neil Tolentino grabbed the offensive board with 1.8 remaining and threw it up inside under heavy defense. He missed again but got another offensive rebound with contact as time expired.
The Chiefs, who moved down to 3-2, soldiered to the locker room with referees still reviewing the final call.
The officials returned 0.3 seconds in the game clock as they slapped a personal foul on Joshua Guiab of JRU on Tolentino.
Tolentino went to the court and missed both, making 70-67 the final score. More drama ensued in the second final buzzer as most of the Chiefs walked back to the locker room without the school hymn being sang.
Art Oliva, Danielle Mallari, Joshua Abastillas, Rey Domingo and Axel Doromal, who finished with a game-high 24 points for Arellano, returned to sing Arellano’s hymn.
Shane Menina also flirted with a double-double for the Chiefs with 13 points and nine rebounds.
Guiab finished with a double-double of 17 markers and 10 boards for JRU. William Sy also finished with 13 markers while Marwin Dioniso scored 12.
The Scores:
JRU 70 — Guiab 17, Sy 13, Dionisio 12, Delos Santos 10, Miranda 7, Dela Rosa 4, Celis 3, Amores 2, Arenal 2, Medina 0, Villarin 0, Joson 0, De Jesus 0.
ARELLANO 67 — Doromal 24, Menina 13, Flores 8, Mallari 7, Tolentino 7, Oliva 6, Abastillas 2, Punzalan 0, Oftana 0, Domingo 0.
Quarters: 23-21, 35-36, 45-56, 70-67.