NCAA: JRU holds back Mapua, Lyceum shocks San Beda

The Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers withstood an endgame rally by the Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals, 83-72, while the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates began their campaign on a high note, catching the biggest fish in the pond with a 70-66 bombshell, Monday at the FilOil Flying V Arena.

Shane Ko scattered 23 points in the Pirates' first win against the Red Lions since joining the league two years ago. Prior to this match, they were 0-4 against the reigning titlists.

"We were all thinking of a huge upset and we're happy it happened," said Ko, who buried two crucial charities to complete the upset.

Last season, Lyceum finished at the bottom of the tourney standings with a 3-15 record.

The veteran point guard added six rebounds and three assists in the win, and was the only Pirate in double-figures, scoring-wise. Dexter Zamora added nine markers and another three assists, while Jeremiah Taladua punched in seven points.

The Red Lions drew 18 points from Baser Amer, but the standout floor general was a miserable 7-of-20 from the field. Ola Adeogun had 11 points and just three rebounds, prior to fouling out late.

The Pirates shot 47 percent from the field while holding their foes to a 40 percent clip.

In the first game, JRU took a commanding 41-21 lead in the second quarter, as former Red Lion Paolo Pontejos scored 12 of his 18 points in the initial 20 minutes to help craft the big lead.

However, the Heavy Bombers couldn't sustain their momentum after the break, as the Cardinals bounced back strong with a 12-2 attack, to seize the lead entering the fourth. JRU however, stopped the Cardinals, holding them to just 10 points in the final canto, on the way to their first win.

"We committed turnovers, but our composure remained there," Bombers coach Vergel Meneses said. "It’s a good sign, but it’s still early in the season. We have to work hard this season because we have a small frontline."

Philip Paniamogan scored a game-high 24 points on seven triples, while Jordan Dela Paz and Michael Mabulac added 10 markers apiece, plus a combined 15 rebounds.

Kenneth Ighalo paced Mapua with 22 points, 11 boards, two assists, one steal, and a block in a losing effort. - AMD, GMA News


The scores:

Game one:

JRU 83 – Paniamogan 24, Pontejos 18, Dela Paz, 10, Mabulac 10, Abanto 8, Balagtas 4, Sanchez 4, Juanico 3, Lasquety 2, Salaveria 0, Grospe 0

MIT 72 – Ighalo 22, Eriobu 11, Braña 11, Saitanan 10, Estrella 9, Cantos 5, Isit 2, Magsigay 2, Gabo 0

Quarter scoring: 26-14, 43-33, 60-62, 83-72


Game two:

LPU 70 — Ko 23, Zamora 9, Taladua 7, Azores 6, Mendoza 6, Baltazar 6, Mbomiko 6, Ambohot 4, Francisco 3, Evangelista 0, Alanes 0, Garcia 0, Lesmoras 0

SBC 66 — Amer 18, Adeogun 11, Abarcar 9, Koga 8, Dela Cruz 8, A. Semerad 5, D. Semerad 3, Dela Rosa 2, Villaruz 2, Mendoza 0, Pascual 0, Ludovice 0

Quarter scoring: 18-22, 35-28, 56-48, 70-66




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