Datu Usop came up clutch to help Jose Rizal University to a 66-64 escape against De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde-La Salle Green Hills in the NCAA Season 101 juniors basketball tournament on Sunday.
Usop sank the jumper that tied things up at 59-all in the fourth before his assists led to a CJ Satparam three-pointer that gave the Light Bombers a 62-59 cushion with 1:47 left.
JRU took advantage of a turnover from Patrick Pasinos as Usop knocked down a layup as Prince Mallorca scored on a layup that allowed the erstwhile winless JRU a 66-61 advantage in the final 1:02.
Usop finished with 24 points together with three rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block while Sapatram and Mallorca each chipped in with eight markers with the latter grabbing 10 boards.
With the win, JRU, which previously lost to Letran, EAC, and San Beda, improved to 1-3 in Group B while LSGH absorbed back-to-back losses to go 2-2 in the same pool.
Josef Calo-oy paced the Greenies with 20 points while Pasinos tallied a double-double outing of 17 markers and 13 boards.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
