Wilson bombards St. Benilde as Bombers boost NCAA Final 4 bid

John Wilson played like a man-possessed on Wednesday posting a season and career high 48 points and personal best 17 rebounds to lead Jose Rizal University to a 95-85 win over College of St. Benilde in the 85th NCAA men's basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City. Wilson, who went 9-of-15 at the three-point range to likewise post a league record this season, scored 25 points in the first half – 15 of which came from beyond the arc – to help the Heavy Bombers erect a double-digit lead after 10 minutes of play. It was JRU’s ninth win in 11 matches that put them just half-a-game behind second running San Beda’s 10-1 card. The win also helped the Heavy Bombers put a two-game lead over Letran and Arellano, which are currently tied at fourth and fifth spots with similar 7-4 slates. “As a veteran, dapat ganito talaga ang nilalaro ko (I should play more aggressively as a veteran)," said the 22-year-old Wilson, who first tried to play for San Sebastian but failed to make it to the Stags’ roster, after scoring the most points in the league since Lim Eng Beng’s 55 markers during the 1974 season for La Salle College. "Kailangan ko talagang maglaro nang husto. Kasi may injury at sakit ang iba kong teammates (I should play consistently. Since my teammates are either injured or sick)," added the management student, whose previous personal best was 26 points. JRU mentor Ariel Vanguardia said James Sena and Marvin Hayes underwent surgery to address minor foot injuries while JR Bulangis was suffering from tonsillitis. “Hiningi niya talaga sa akin na ilagay ko siya sa first five dahil nga may injury ang mga teammates (Wilson requested that I start him since his teammates are injured)," said Vanguardia. "And it turned out to be a McGrady-like performance," said Vanguardia regarding Wilson who scored more than half of his team’s total points. “Pero sana mala-Kobe dahil si Bryant nag-champion (I hope he could have a Kobe-like performance next game since Bryant won a championship)." Wilson's performance bested the previous season high 32 points made by CSB team captain Jeff Morial, who failed to suit up for the Blazers due to a left knee injury. “Sayang nakatulong sana ako pero ang sakit hindi ko na kayang hindi indahin (I could have helped the team but the pain is unbearable)," said Morial. Wilson's 18 field goals also eclipsed Morial and San Beda's Sudan Daniel's 12 while his 17 rebounds was one short of tying Sena's season-high 18 rebounds. The JRU wingman also surpassed this season's most three point shots made which he posted at six together with San Sebastian’s Jimbo Aquino and Perpetual’s Robin Rono. But Wilson said the records he set will be put to waste if he cannot help his team reach the Final Four or win the title. “Gusto ko kasing gawain ang lahat para sa team. Gusto kong maglaro ulit ang team sa Final Four at kung puwede sa championship (I want to do everything for the team. I want to play in the Final Four and if possible in the championship match)." Vanguardia said the Bombers need to win their last seven games in order to secure one of the top two spots that enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four phase of the league. With Wilson playing like a man on fire, JRU took a 56-41 halftime advantage and scored the points that kept the CSB at bay. The 6-foot-2 swingman was even urged by his teammates to try to reach the 50-point mark. – Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV