NCAA: Bombers blast Knights for third straight win

Jose Rizal University (JRU) gave Letran a dose of its own medicine as far as defense is concerned. The Heavy Bombers leaned once more on their dreaded pressure defense while breaking the Knights' own ploy to snare a 76-60 victory in the 86th NCAA men's basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City. JRU led by 19 points at halftime (42-23) and 22 in the third period before foiling Letran's comeback bid to register its third straight win and a 7-2 record behind the 8-0 slate of San Beda and defending champion San Sebastian's 7-1 card. After nearly seeing his team collapsing against lowly Emilio Aguinaldo College last week, coach Vergel Meneses praised his wards' efforts. "I think we're seeing the true potential of this team," said Meneses. "I guess that game against EAC somehow woke them up." Nate Matute had the breakout game of his three-year collegiate career hitting 22 points on a 5-of-9 shooting from rainbow country. Averaging just 4.8 points per game, Matute erupted for 11 in the fourth quarter including two triples that end the Knights' uprising. With JRU's lead cut to 64-54 with 4:35 left on a DJ Espiritu three-pointer, Matute fired back-to-back treys to extend the lead to 16 with just 2:50 left to play. "Finally, he was able to show he can play," said Meneses. "He's been playing well on both ends of the floor and I'm glad Nate was able to bury those shots." Alex Almario had 13 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals also for the Bombers. He scored six points off three breakaway layups that stunned the Knights. Veteran Marvin Hayes, who earlier attended the PBA Rookie Draft Camp, made 12 points, five rebounds and seven assists for JRU, which swept Letran for the first time in years. Jaypee Belencion scored 14 points but went 5-of-12 from the field while big man Jam Cortes added 11 points and nine rebounds. Kevin Alas had 10 markers for the Knights, who slipped to 3-6 for sixth place. Letran fell two games behind Mapua for the last Final Four berth. Not helping the Knights' cause was their 36 percent field goal shooting and a 7-of-26 clip from beyond the arc. For its part, JRU shot 57-percent (29-of-51), a stark contrast to a defensive team that had only Raycon Kabigting as the lone player averaging in double figures in the first round. - JVP, GMANews.TV