NCAA: JRU denies Letran of top seed with strong end to season

JRU Heavy Bombers win their last assignment in Season 98. –NCAA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Jose Rizal University broke a six-game losing streak to end its NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball campaign, stunning defending champion Letran, 87-71, at San Juan Arena on Wednesday.

The Heavy Bombers, who finished with a 7-11 record, created a ripple of effect in the Final Four situation as sent the Knights (13-5) dropping to the second seed, making the St. Benilde Blazers the number one team after eliminations (14-4). 

“ I will credit how we played. I don’t know how they (Letran) would play. Of course, they want to win and enter the playoffs on a high note but our game plan was, let’s try to do things that we learned throughout the season,” coach Louie Gonzalez said.

JRU went on a blistering start to the game, leading 21-15 at the end of the first quarter and never looked back.

The Heavy Bombers denied the Knights any chances of tasting the lead for the whole game. They also shared the ball more effectively as they tallied more assists than Letran, 22-12.

Ry Dela Rosa scored a game-high 22 points for JRU. Marwin Dionisio added 16 points and five rebounds while Joshua Guiab had an all-around game with 14 points, eight rebounds and four steals. 

King Caralipio nearly notched a double-double in a losing effort with 15 markers and nine boards for for the Knights. Brent Paraiso and Fran Yu contributed 12 and 10, respectively.

The Scores:

JRU 87 — Dela Rosa 22, Dionisio 16, Guiab 14, Delos Santos 11, Miranda 11, Medina 7, Arenal 2, Celis 2, Abaoag 2, De Jesus 0, Tan 0.

LETRAN 71 — Caralipio 15, Paraiso 12, Yu 10, Sangalang 7, Monje 7, Tolentino 7, Javillonar 5, Ariar 4, Santos 4, Reyson 0, Olivario 0, Guarino 0, Miclat 0, Lantaya 0, Bautista 0.

Quarters: 21-15, 48-38, 66-52, 87-71.