NCAA: JRU beats struggling Mapua in OT for third straight win

JRU’s Josh Guiab. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Jose Rizal University turned back a pesky Mapua side, 67-64, in overtime in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena on Friday.

The Heavy Bombers kept their momentum alive, winning three straight games while dealing the Cardinals their fifth straight loss.

“We were winning by 10 in that fourth quarter and they recovered. Almost all of it came from free throws. To me, that’s the biggest challenge, establishing this kind of defense,” JRU head coach Louie Gonzalez said.

The Heavy Bombers, who improved to 3-2, seemingly pulled away in the fourth quarter with a 13-3 run to take a 60-53 lead.

The Cardinals, however, kept JRU scoreless for the remainder of regulation with Adrian Nocum driving the lane for an equalizer, 60-all, to send the game into overtime.

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But JRU dictated the pace on defense in overtime by limiting the Cardinals, who dropped to 1-5, to only two points, 67-62 with 1:35 left.

Nocum ended the drought with a layup, but that was the last Mapua basket until the final buzzer.

Josh Guiab fueled the Heavy Bombers win with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Marwin Dionisio and Agen Miranda helped JRU’s cause with 15 and 13, respectively.

Brian Lacap was the sole double-digit scorer for the struggling Mapua with 13 markers. Nocum added  eight points.