Jose Rizal University overpowered an undermanned Emilio Aguinaldo College in the battle of schools named after national heroes, hacking out a 73-54 victory to move back to third place along with two others in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City on Friday.
Michael Mabulac bullied his way through with 18 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and two blocks as the Bombers nailed their seventh win against four losses, which sent them in a share of No. 3 with the Perpetual Help Altas and St. Benilde Blazers.
It helped Mabulac and Jose Rizal that the Generals played minus Cameroonian Noube Happi, who was out for the second straight game due to a lingering back injury that has slowed him down early in the season.
"The boys practiced well and trained hard the past few days and it showed in this game," said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses.
Jaycee Asuncion scattered 14 points while Philip Paniamogan and Gio Lasquety chipped in 12 and 10, respectively.
It was Mabulac though who stepped up the biggest.
Mabulac showed feathery touch as a big men and exploded with 16 points in the first half, six in the first quarter when his team roared to a mighty 24-7 lead and 10 in the second when they stretched it top 41-23 at the break.
It was Jose Rizal all the way from there.
Meneses though challenged Mabulac to sustain his feat when the Bombers clash with the Lyceum Pirates on Monday.
"I'm little impressed because EAC played without Happi. Now if he can come up with that kind of game again against Lyceum, which has a tall frontcourt, then I will tell you I'm fully impressed," said Meneses of Mabulac.
Curiously, Paniamogan, who norms 18.8 points a game or second only to 20.45 points by league scoring leader Juneric Baloria of Perpetual Help, was miserable all day after muffing 11 of his 15 attempts while turning the ball over four times.
Meneses thinks he needs to get over it and play harder than usual.
"You have to do a lot of extras to be able to play in the PBA, not just score," said Meneses.
In the first game, Mapua hacked out a 75-73 result over fellow bottom-dweller San Sebastian to give the Cardinals their second win of the tournament. — Photos by KC Cruz
The scores:
First Game
Jose Rizal 73- Mabulac 18, Asuncion 14, Paniamogan 12, Lasquety 10, Abdul Wahab 9, Benavides 9, Salaveria 1, Astilla 0, Sanchez 0, Munez 0, Grospe 0, Teodoro 0
EAC 54- Serrano 16, Jamon 16, Onwubere 9, Tayongtong 7, Saludo 4, Arquero 2, Aguilar 0, Santos 0, Mejos 0, General 0, Quilanita 0
Quarters: 24-7; 41-23; 59-45; 73-54
Second Game
Mapua 75- Gabo 14, Estrella 14, Isit 12, Eriobu 12, Biteng 8, Cantos 7, Saitanan 4, Canaynay 2, Villasenor 2
San Sebastian 73- Perez 26, Dela Cruz 16, Guinto 12, Ortuoste 11, Camasura 3, Yong 3, Calisaan 2, Balucanag 0, Fabian 0, Costelo 0, Aquino 0, Mercado 0
Quarters: 23-18; 42-32; 57-53; 75-73
