Jose Rizal University took the last seat in Group B bound for playoff basketball, beating Emilio Aguinaldo College, 80-76, Tuesday at the Filoil Arena in San Juan.
Four JRU cagers notched double digits today, led by Justin Lozano’s 15 points. Forward Stephen Garupil and guards Shawn Argente and Sean Salvador followed suit with 14, 12, and 10 points of their own.
After a less than ideal first half, the Heavy Bombers continued to strive after the break. Despite playing catch-up in the third frame, JRU were able to snatch a slender two-point lead heading into the last quarter, 60-58.
Commenting on the first half, Heavy Bombers assistant coach Juan Miguel Martin lauded his and head coach Nani Epondulan’s troops for responding to the constructive criticism on their slow start.
“First time ko makita si Coach Nani na ganun eh. Siguro dun nalang tayo mag base–parang nakita ko si Incredible Hulk eh,” quipped Martin.
“Pero, nag-respond naman yung mga bata. Kasi sinasabi ko, usually, kaya lang naman tayo pinapagalitan ng tatay natin kasi meron tayong mali. Ganun lang yung trato ni Coach Nani sa mga anak niya. Paglabas namin ng second half, iba na itsura ng mga bata,” Martin added.
Heading into crunchtime, with EAC threatening to take the lead back with 1:40 left in the game, Lozano’s layup and then assist to Allan Laurenaria gave the Heavy Bombers a much needed five-point cushion 78-73.
Despite a last ditch effort by the Generals to salvage a result, JRU’s Harry Herrera scored his only two points of the game at the free throw line to ice the win, 80-76.
“Nag-usap usap kami. Kasi these past games namin, natatalo kami sa end game. Because binibitawan namin yung sistema ni coach Nani. Niremind lang namin sakanila na wag bibitaw sa sistema…kailangan na tayo ang hindi bibitaw. So luckily binigay sa amin yung panalo,” said the JRU assistant coach.
The Heavy Bombers will now test their wares against Group A’s number one seed, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, on Thursday at the Mall of Asia Area.
On the other hand, it is the end of the road for the Generals this season.
Nico Quinal spearheaded EAC’s efforts with 16 points, with EJ Castillo just behind with 14 markers.
WATCH:
The scores:
JRU 80 - Lozano 15, Garupil 14, Argente 12, Salvador 10, Laurenaria 7, Benitez 6, Duque 6, Panapanaan 6, Herrera 2, Sarmiento 2, Castillo 0, Peñaverde 0.
EAC 76 - Quinal 16, Castillo 14, Oftana 13, Angeles 9, Shanoda 8, Bagay 6, Lucero 5, Loristo 3, Omandac 1, Bacud 1. Jacob 0, Ochavo 0, Postanes 0.
Quarters: 18-18, 38-42, 60-58, 80-76.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
