NCAA: JRU breathes life into Final Four bid with win over Letran

JRU’s Mart Barrera in NCAA Season 100.–NCAA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Jose Rizal University revived its declining fortunes with a hard-earned 90-86 win over Letran on Saturday at the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball.

The Bombers overcame another explosive performance from Letran’s Jimboy Estrada while resurrecting their semifinal bid with a fourth win in 13 games.

MJ Barrera tallied a career-high 22 points and Joshua Guiab added 19 points for the Bombers, who halted a four-game skid that kept them within reach of the Final Four appearance.

READ: NCAA-leading Benilde too much for hapless JRU

“We came to this game facing a big adversity and good thing the players responded,” said JRU coach Louie Gonzales.

Not only did the Bombers get back on the winning route, they were able to defend shooter Deo Cuajao in accurately doing his thing.

For the second straight game, Estrada was outstanding, winding up with 29 points, just a point shy of his career high in a recent victory over the San Sebastian Stags.

“He’s (Estrada) been playing extended minutes. We want to bring him where he will work more and that’s exactly what we did,” said Gonzales.

READ: NCAA: Cuajao comes through as Letran gains solo fourth with 2OT win

Cuajao had back-to-back triples that gave the Knights their last taste of the 73-70 before Barrera and Guiab buckled down to work.

“I told our players that it’s better for us to come together in this game. We’re fighting for our lives right now and we have to play strong regardless who we face,” said Gonzales.

Jace Miller had a career output of 16 points and Cuajao had 13 after scoring a season-high 34 points in a double overtime victory against the Stags.

The Knights remained fixed at fourth with an identical 7-7 record while Emilio Aguinaldo College (6-6) and Lyceum (6-7) are breathing down their necks in the tight race for that last Final Four spot.

The scores:

JRU 90 – Barrera 22, Guiab 19, De Leon 10, Argente 9, Ramos 7, Bernardo 7, Sarmiento 7, Raymundo 6, Pangilinan 3, Panapanaan 0, De Jesus 0, Lozano 0, Benitez 0, Mosqueda 0

LETRAN 86 – Estrada 29, Miller 16, Cuajao 13, Go 9, Jumao-As 7, Montecillo 6, Nunag 3, Santos 2, Javillonar 1, Dimaano 0

Quarterscores: 28-22, 45-48, 63-61, 90-86