JRU leans on fiery fourth quarter run to outclass Mapua

A blazing fourth quarter run propelled Jose Rizal University to a 71-58 victory in the Group A of NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament at San Juan Arena Tuesday evening.

Following the win, the Heavy Bombers notched a temporary grasp of the “Group of Death’s” top seed with a 9-3 record.

“Nagustuhan ko talaga sa team namin talaga ay ‘yong kahit mga bata kami, composed kami lalo na sa crucial moments,” Lawrence Mangubat expressed.

“Nagkakaisa kami lahat, salamat na din sa gabay ng coaches namin.” he added.

Both squads were tied at 52-all early in the payoff period, before JRU star guard Mangubat sank a big-time triple that ignited a 9-0 run that eventually gave the Bombers a 63-52 advantage with 5:23 to go.

The Cardinals got to within 10, 65-55, after a bucket from Ken Dones at the 4:18 mark but JRU continued their tirade with a game-ending 6-3 run capped off by a Cyrus Cuenco triple in the dying seconds of the game.

Mangubat led the cavalry with 19 points, six rebounds and two steals. Jhillian Palis scored 15 while Sean Salvador and Jamir Eligado turned in 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Mapua remained as the group’s fourth seed with a 6-6 card as it lost its third straight game.

The ensemble of Cuenco, Jamal Diaz, Yan Concepcion and Mark Igliane all had 11 markers in a losing effort for the Cardinals.