Apinan keeps JRU on track of clinching NCAA Final 4 berth

Jose Rizal University is on a roll this past week thanks mainly to Jeckster Apinan's steady plays. Apinan, with the last semifinals spot up for grabs in the 87th NCAA men's basketball tournament, made sure the Heavy Bombers are still on the right track to clinch a fifth straight Final Four berth. The veteran forward, in JRU's last two games, showed a heroic effort in averaging 12 points and 12.5 rebounds to earn the ACCEL/3XVI NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week award. Apinan unloaded 17 points and collected 10 rebounds in the Heavy Bombers' 78-63 thrashing of College of Saint (September 19). Four days later, Apinan struggled offensively when he was held to only seven points in JRU's 64-57 overtime win over Perpetual Help (September 23) but grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked three shots. "It was really Jeckster who carried us in the game. His rebounding and leadership lifted us in the second round," JRU coach Vergel Meneses said of his ward after the vengeful win against the Altas, the team that defeated them in triple overtime in the first round. The Bombers have won four straight since last week, where Nate Matute was named the NCAA POTW, to place solo fourth in the standings with a 7-9 win-loss card—a full game ahead of Mapua and guest team Lyceum. Apinan edged Letran's Kevin Alas and San Beda's Garvo Lanete and Jake Pascual for the weekly plum. — JVP, GMA News