That’s the only way for us to compete.
JL de los Santos elevates for Jose Rizal University against Emilio Aguinaldo College in their Season 98 NCAA basketball tournament game yesterday. The Heavy Bombers won, 97-74. | Photograph courtesy of NCAA
Games today:
(FilOil EcoOil Centre)
12 p.m. — Letran vs Arellano
3 p.m. — Mapua vs San Sebastian
Jose Rizal University found a way to win yesterday after two failed tries as the Heavy Bombers coasted to a 97-74 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College in Season 98 National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil centre in San Juan.
Agem Miranda and William Sy led the way with 20 points each for JRU which banked on a strong second quarter to keep the Generals winless in three games.
From a 25-22 first quarter lead, JRU outscored EAC en route to a gaining a 52-41 halftime lead it never relinquished.
The lead even snowballed to 27 points, 87-60, five minutes left when Ry deal Rosa sank a triple.
The Heavy Bombers played tight defense and succeeded in forcing EAC to commit 26 turnovers that they turned into 37 points, including 20 on fastbreak plays.
JRU head coach Louie Gonzales was obviously delighted by his team's performance against the taller Generals.
"We can't just punish our opponent from our defense, we have to make it harder for them on offense (as well). That's the only way for us to compete," Gonzales said.
"Those 26 turnovers we forced showed a lot on the build of the team. We're not that tall so we really have to help each other out."
JL de los Santos added 17 points, coming from 8-of-11 shooting clip for the Heavy Bombers while John Amores tallied a double-double game of 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Nat Cosejo's 27 points and seven rebounds wasn't enough for EAC to turn their fortunes.
In the second game, Lyceum of the Philippines University stunned San Beda University, 89-81, for its second-straight win.
Gyle Patrick Montaño led the Pirates with 18 points and five rebounds as they now hold a 2-1 win-loss record.
JB Bahio had 19 markers but it wasn't enough as the Red Lions absorbed their second loss in three games.
The scores:
First Game:
JRU (97) — Miranda 20, Sy 20, Delos Santos 17, Amores 11, Guiab 9, Celis 7, Dionisio 5, Dela Rosa 3, Villarin 3, Arenal 2, Gonzales 0, Medina 0.
EAC (74) — Cosejo 27, Robin 18, Liwag 15, Gurtiza 4, Luciano 4, Balowa 2, Quinal 2, Tolentino 2, Umpad 0, Bajon 0, Maguliano 0, Bacud 0, Dominguez 0, Doria Ad. 0, Cosa 0.
QUARTERS: 25-22, 52-41, 71-51, 97-74
Second Game:
LYCEUM (89) — Montaño 18, Valdez 17, Umali 14, Barba 12, Villegas 8, Guadaña 7, Penafiel 6, Cunanan 4, Larupay 2, Navarro 1, Bravo 0, Omandac 0.
SAN BEDA (81) — Bahio 19, Cuntapay 16, Kwekuteye 15, Alfaro 13, ynot 10, Cortez 8, Sanchez 0, Andrada 0, Cometa 0, Visser 0, Jopia 0, Tagala 0, Llarena 0.
QUARTERS: 16-27, 40-48, 66-65, 89-81.
