Heavy Bombers survive Blazers rally

Jose Rizal University (JRU) weathered a furious College of Saint Benilde comeback to escape with a 73-69 victory in Group A of Season 102 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

The Heavy Bombers built a 16-point lead before the Blazers rallied in the fourth quarter.

But JRU kept its composure down the stretch to remain unbeaten at 2-0.

“We’re always advised to just stick to the system we’re running,” said Chris Hubilla, who finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.

“We just couldn’t let up, because in our losses (during the offseason), we would lose our way in the fourth quarter. We just stuck to our defense and didn’t waver until the very end.”

Justine Sanchez and Jhomel Ancheta hit back-to-back baskets to put Saint Benilde ahead, 66-65, with 2:09 left.

Hubilla calmly sank two free throws to regain the lead for the Heavy Bombers before Lawrence Mangubat drilled a crucial three-pointer with 1:05 remaining to make it 70-66.

Sanchez, who finished with 20 points and nine rebounds, kept the Blazers within striking distance with a three-pointer with 45.8 seconds left.

Saint Benilde, however, could not complete the comeback as late turnovers prevented it from getting another chance at the lead.

Mangubat led JRU with 20 points and nine rebounds, while Jalen Garcia added 11 points.

Ancheta and SJ Moore each scored 20 points for Saint Benilde, which dropped to 2-1.

The scores:

JRU (73) — Mangubat 20, Hubilla 12, Garcia 11, Salvador 10, Eligado 7, Palis 6, Laurenaria 5, Herrera 2, Garupil 0, Penaverde 0, Masiglat 0, Agmenyi 0, Castillo 0.

SAINT BENILDE (69) — Sanchez 20, Moore 18, Ancheta 18, Cajucom 6, Go 4, Morales 2, Galas 1, Torres 0, Podador 0, Daja 0, Gonzaga 0, Baliquig 0, Jarque 0, Arciaga 0.

QUARTERS: 16-16, 38-33, 58-50, 73-69.