Laurenaria saves day, lifts JRU past San Beda

Rookie Allan Laurenaria delivered a dagger layup to lift Jose Rizal University to a shock 67-66 win over erstwhile unbeaten San Beda Univrsity in Season 101 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Laurenaria scored only six points, but nothing was bigger than his fearless drive to the basket with 2.1 seconds left to seal the Heavy Bombers’ first victory over the powerhouse Red Lions since their 83-80 triumph on 4 October 2022.

Bryan Sajonia tried to force an overtime in the final stretch, but his fadeaway jumper clanked out.

Sean Salvador led the charge, dropping 15 points, three rebounds, and two assists with an impressive 4-of-5 from beyond the arc while Justin Lozano posted 13 markers for the Heavy Bombers, who forged a three-way tie with the Red Lions and College of Saint Benilde with a 2-1 win-loss card in Group B.

“The win is big for us as it gives us a lot of confidence,” said JRU rookie coach Nani Epondulan, who also claimed the scalp of a loaded College of Saint Benilde squad in the opener.

“We always remember that our opponents may be bigger and more athletic but we have bigger hearts.”

Also emerging with a thrilling win was San Sebastian College, who booked a 100-94 double overtime victory over Lyceum of the Phiilppines University in the first game.

Rookies Ian Cuajao and Jhuniel Dela Rosa made their presence felt, delivering career performances that gave rookie coach Rob Labagala his first taste of victory in the country’s oldest collegiate league.

Cuajao erupted for 25 points with seven three-pointers, five rebounds and five assists while Dela Rama pulled down 23 rebounds on top of 15 markers, three assists and three steals for the Golden Stags, who rallied from 19-point deficit before posting a 1-2 record in Group A.

Christian Ricio led the charge with 25 points and three steals before fouling out in the first overtime, much to the delight of Labagala, who took over the coaching reins from Arvin Bonleon in the off-season.

“We went through a lot before getting this win,” Labagala, whose wards dominated the shaded lanes and won the rebounding battle, 72-44, that gave them a lot of scoring chances.

“But it’s a good win for us because it brings something positive to our campaign. It’s good that we’re getting this kind of experience this early.”

True enough, giving their coach his first win in his collegiate career was never easy for the Stags.

After posting a slim 95-94 lead following Ato Barba’s three-pointer late in the second overtime, Cuajao responded with a three-pointer to give the Golden Stags a 98-94 cushion with still 20 seconds remaining.

Barba had another chance to inch closer in their next possession, but he missed his lay-in, while Dela Rama scored from the foul line to preserve the hard-earned victory.

Barba, who went undrafted in the recent PBA Draft, finally bounced back as he tallied a career-high 32 points on 11-of-21 shooting for the Pirates, who remain struggling in the early stretch of the preliminaries.

Joshua Moralejo added 19 points while Renz Villegas chipped in 15 in the loss as the Pirates fell to 0-3.