Jose Rizal University added the Mapua Cardinals to its list of victims after pulling off a 66-63 win on Friday in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament in San Juan.
The Heavy Bombers started strong, taking a 25-15 lead in the first quarter before extending it to 43-33 at halftime. Mapua tried to come back in the fourth period and came within two, 65-63, with 2:45 left, before a free throw by Shawn Argente, awarded after a technical foul on Clint Escamis, pushed JRU’s lead to three.
With less than two minutes remaining, a freak accident occurred as Justin Lozano had a bad fall while defending Cyrus Nitura. Lozano briefly lost consciousness and was later stretchered off the court and rushed to the hospital.
When play resumed, neither team managed to score. Mapua’s Cyril Gonzales attempted a game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds but missed, sealing the victory for JRU.
The win was a huge boost for the Heavy Bombers, who snapped a two-game losing streak to Lyceum of the Philippines University and the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
“After losing two consecutive games namin, tapos ito bouncing back against the defending champion, malaking win ito for us. At the same time, it’s a test of character para sa players kung paano nila i-handle ang ganitong sitwasyon,” JRU head coach Nani Epondulan said.
Epondulan later shared that Lozano had already regained consciousness while being transported to the hospital.
Lozano and Allen Laurenaria each finished with 13 points, with Lozano adding seven rebounds, two blocks, two assists, and a steal.
JC Recto led the Cardinals with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Cyril Gonzales contributed 14. Former MVP Clint Escamis was limited to just two points in 26 minutes of action.
With the win, JRU improved to 4-4, while Mapua dropped to 3-4 as the Cardinals absorbed its third straight loss after San Beda University and Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
Scores:
JRU 66 - Lozano 13, Laurenaria 13, Argente 8, Garupil 7, Salvador 7, Panapanaan 6, Benitez 4, Duque 4, Herrera 2, Castillo 2, Sarmiento 0, Peñaverde 0.
Mapua 63 - Recto 15, Gonzales 14, Nitura 9, Sapasap 8, Delos Reyes 8, Escamis 2, Igliane 2, Cuenco 2, Concepcion 2, Lazarte 1, Callangan 0.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
