Sean Salvador erupted for his best game so far, lifting Jose Rizal University to a 59-46 win against San Sebastian College-Recoletos in the NCAA Season 101 on Wednesday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The rookie guard dropped a career-best 22 points behind five three-pointers together with three rebounds, one steal, and one assist as the Heavy Bombers shook off the absence of team captain Shawn Argente to improve to 3-2 in Group B.
Argente was serving a one-game suspension following his two technical fouls that led to an ejection in the last game against De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
Still, JRU played like a complete crew with Salvador and other young guns Justin Lozano, Yuri Duque, and Allan Laurenaria all playing huge roles in the victory that allowed the Heavy Bombers to recover from a 73-65 loss to the Blazers.
"Sinasabi ni Coach Nani na kailangan naming bumawi kasi San Sebastian, parang dark horse 'yan, pwede kaming matalo. So ayun, sabi lang ni Coach Nani na kailangang may mag-step up nu'ng nawala si Shawn," Salvador said.
"And ginampanan ko 'yun as a rookie."
(Coach Nani says we need to bounce back because San Sebastian is like a dark horse. We could really lose. So there, Coach Nani just said we need someone to step up because Shawn is not here... And I did that as a rookie.)
JRU, though, had to shrug off a lethargic start with the Golden Stags leading by as many as 12 late in the first quarter before the Heavy Bombers ended the first half with a 25-23 cushion in a low-scoring affair.
Salvador then caught fire by scoring seven early in the third to send JRU to a 34-27 lead as they completely turned things around against an equally young San Sebastian side.
Ivan Panapanaan completed a three-point play before Salvador buried a three-pointer that made it a 53-39 advantage. Salvador, who was once a star for the Mapua Red Robins in the junior ranks, sank a layup after escaping the defense of Oneil Castor for a huge 57-39 lead to basically seal the deal in the final 3:05.
Jhuniel Dela Rama once again hauled 15 rebounds together with nine points, three assists, and two steals while Castor and Christian Ricio chipped in eight markers apiece in the loss.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
