Heavy Bombers grab solo lead, smash EAC Generals

A fired-up Nate Matute powered Jose Rizal University to the solo lead in the young NCAA men’s basketball tournament as the Heavy Bombers swamped the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 90-79,  yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Arena.

Matute unloaded a career-high 30 points as the surprising Heavy Bombers moved ahead of the San Beda Lions with a 3-0 record.

“For three games now he’s the one carrying this team,” said JRU coach Vergel Meneses after the Bombers got off to their best start since a 6-0 opening streak in 2009. “The players are really giving their best in the games.”

In the nightcap, Mike Parala drilled eight of Mapua’s last 12 points to lift the Cardinals to a 64-55 triumph over St. Benilde.

Josan Nimes shot a game-high 21 points and had eight rebounds for the Cardinals (1-1).

Parala scored eight straight points to put the Cardinals on top going into the final minute, 60-55, after trailing at 52-53.

Matute knocked in all but one of the Bombers’ eight triples, including crucial back-to-back treys that sparked their late-game breakaway after the Generals had threatened within four, 66-62.

“When I saw them closing in, I just decided to step up,” said Matute, who’s playing his fifth and final year in the league.

Matute eclipsed his previous career-high, which he just set last week after shooting 29 points in the Bombers’ win over Arellano.

“I’m more experienced now, I know how to relax and let the game come to me,” said Matute.

The Generals slipped to 1-1 to join St. Benilde and Letran in a three-way tie at fifth.

In juniors action, returning star Mario Bonleon powered La Salle Green Hills to its second triumph as the Junior Blazers drubbed the Red Robins, 69-49.

The Junior Blazers tied Arellano at 2-1, behind the unbeaten San Sebastian (3-0) and San Beda (2-0).

Earlier, the Light Bombers picked up their first win in three games, 85-57, over the Brigadiers.

The senior scores:

First Game

JRU 90—Matute 30, Mabulac 14, Lopez 11, Almario 11, Camasura 9, Villarias 4, Dela Paz 4, Carampil 4, Mendoza 2, Monserat 1, Maconocido 0, Salaveria 0, Porter 0.

EAC 79—Jamon 20, Happi 15, Tayontong 15, Munsayac 10, Yaya 8, Chiong 6, Morada 3, Sanchez 2, Paguia 0, Monteclaro 0.

Quarters: 22-13, 44-35, 60-57, 90-79

Second Game

MAPUA 64—Nimes 21, Parala 12, Estrella 9, Ighalo 8, Chien 5, Abad 4, Cantos 3, Banal 2, Stevens 0.

ST. BENILDE 55—Lastimosa 13, Ongteco 8, Sinco 7, Tolentino 6, Grey 6, Tan 6, Bartolo 4, Taha 4, Carlos 1, Maconocido 0, Garcia 0, Romero 0, Deles 0, Altamirano 0.

Quarters: 9-13, 28-30, 45-40, 64-55