NCAA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Jose Rizal University blew a big lead but held on to stun San Beda, 83-80, in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena on Tuesday.
The Heavy Bombers squandered a 20-point advantage before surviving the Red Lions’ comeback bid to post their fourth win against two losses.
“I think we can do better in attacking. Maybe the fatigue and pressure are already there in the fourth quarter but I told them the more our backs are against the wall, the more we should do what we do best,” JRU head coach Louie Gonzalez.
Agen Miranda led JRU with 21 points while John Amores finished with 19. Marwin Dionisio and Joshua Guiab contributed 16 and 14, respectively.
The Red Lions, who dropped to a 4-2 record, still trailed by nine in the fourth quarter before making it a two-point game down the stretch.
San Beda’s JB Bahio missed a potential game-tying basket with less than 40 seconds left that sealed the Heavy Bombers’ victory.
Bahio led San Beda with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds. James Kwekuteye scored 14 points but shot a lowly 33.3 percent from the field while Tony Ynot chipped in 12.