Jose Rizal University controlled the tempo early on and finally found the endgame poise as it eked out a 74-68 victory over De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde to pick up their first win in the NCAA Season 97 men's basketball tournament on Tuesday.
JL Delos Santos led JRU with 19 points and 11 rebounds while Jason Celis added 17 for JRU, which barged into the win column after five losses to open the season for a 1-5 card.
CSB dropped to 4-2, ending a four-game winning stretch.
The momentum for most of the first half titled towards the Heavy Bombers' way with gritty guard Delos Santos nailing a triple for a nine-point spread for JRU, 29-20. The Blazers, eager to protect their streak, answered with a 10-4 blitz to conclude the first 20 minutes trailing by just three, 30-33.
Delos Santos has already collected 13 points in the first half while his backcourt duo partner in Celis chipped in 11 as they moved two quarters away from their first win.
Will Gozum, whose 13 markers by halftime allowed CSB to keep pace with JRU, notched back-to-back baskets as they led for the first time, 34-33, to open the third quarter.
The frame ended with CSB enjoying a precarious 50-49 cushion after Prince Carlos knocked down a crucial three-pointer that handed the lead back to his side.
After back-and-forth action, the Heavy Bombers regained their touch with RJ Arenal giving them a 65-60 advantage halfway through the payoff period.
Marwin Dionisio sank an important basket with 38 ticks left, 73-68, as their breakthrough win got in the bag.
JRU outrebounded CSB by 18, 59-41, and by nine on the offensive glass as Chester Jungco crashed the boards for 12 rebounds and Delos Santos and Marwin Dionisio each grabbed 11.
Gozum finished with monster numbers of 17 points, 10 rebounds, and five blocks in only 22 minutes and five seconds of action. He did not return in the fourth quarter as dealt with a foot injury.
JRU will go up against San Sebastian College-Recoletos on the same day while CSB will next tangle with Mapua University on April 19, Tuesday.
The scores:
JRU 74 - Delos Santos 19, Celis 17, Dionisio 9, Agbong 7, Bongay 7, Jungco 6, Arenal 5, Macatangay 4, Estrella 0, Gonzales 0.
CSB 68 - Gozum 17, Benson 13, Nayve 12, Corteza 10, Carlos 10, Marcos 3, Lepalam 2, Flores 1, Sangco 0, Lim 0, Publico 0, Davis 0.
Quarters: 17-14, 33-30, 49-50, 74-68.
—JMB, GMA News
