Sean Salvador buried the crucial triple and game-sealing free throws to cap off Jose Rizal University's 69-66 escape against Emilio Aguinaldo College in the NCAA Season 101 on Wednesday at the Filoil Centre.
The rookie guard scored five of the Heavy Bombers' 10-3 closing run as they turned back the Generals and avenged their first-round loss, improving to 6-5 in Group B while EAC dropped to 4-6.
Salvador ended up with a career-high 24 points that he spiked with seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal while fellow rookie Allan Laurenaria and veteran Shawn Argente chipped in 15 and 12 markers apiece.
"Credits sa mga players ko, 'yung composure nila andon and sabi ko nga, sa mga previous games namin talagang wala kaming games na comfortable win," JRU head coach Nani Epondulan said.
"Lahat dikitan or buzzer-beater,so sa tingin ko nag-mature 'yung mga players namin."
JRU, who absorbed a 68-65 loss to EAC the first time they faced this season, built a 59-54 lead in the fourth thanks to an outbalanced three-pointer from Salvador.
The Generals then retaliated with a 9-0 swing capped by a corner three-pointer from Nico Quinal as EAC turned that five-point deficit to a 62-59 advantage with 1:55 left.
That, however, didn't take the fight out of the Heavy Bombers.
Laurenaria came up with a tough floater off a Stephen Garupil inbound pass before the former returned the favor, feeding the latter with a dime that led to a three-pointer from the top of the key as they pulled within one, 64-65.
Laurenaria then denied Jude Bagay on his jumper attempt, a defensive stop that translated to Salvador's final three-pointer that allowed JRU to seize a 67-65 cushion in the final 37 seconds.
Salvador punctuated the win by calmly sinking two free throws to close out his career game so far.
Kyle Ochavo led EAC with 19 points, five rebounds, five assist, and two steals while Wilmar Oftana finished with 12 markers, six boards, three dimes, two steals, and one block before fouling out with 1:47 left in the fourth.
Scores:
JRU 69 – Salvador 24, Laurenaria 15, Argente 12, Garupil 8, Panapanaan 4, Duque 3, Herrera 2, Sarmiento 1, Benitez 0, Catapang 0, J. Castillo 0.
EAC 66 – Ochavo 19, Oftana 12, Bagay 11, Quinal 8, Shanoda 5, Angeles 4, Doria 3, EJ Castillo 2, Tolentino 2, Loristo 0, Omandac 0, Lucero 0, Bacud 0, Villarente 0, Jacob 0.
Quarters: 20-22, 35-35, 45-41, 69-66.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
