JRU nips Mapua; Knights win

By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA

Games Today (The Arena, San Juan)
12 noon CSB vs Lyceum (Jrs)
2 p.m. EAC vs Arellano (Jrs)
4 p.m. CSB vs Lyceum (Srs)
6 p.m. EAC vs Arellano (Srs)

Manila, Philippines – John Lopez split his charities with 39.2 seconds left as Jose Rizal squeaked past Mapua, 6564, Saturday night at the start of the 88th NCAA basketball tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Lopez funneled 10 of his 20 points in the final canto while hauling 10 boards as the Heavy Bombers protected their slim edge in the dying ticks to join host Letran in the winning column.

The Knights leaned on a fiery fourth quarter and downed last year’s bridesmaid San Sebastian Stags, 80-74. Kevin Alas led Letran with a game-high 31 points, while Jonathan Belorio and Mark Cruz chipped in 14 and 10 markers, respectively.

JRU coach Vergel Meneses was far from satisfied with their win, saying he didn’t see the usual aggressiveness of his stalwarts.

“It’s a tough win, but I didn’t see the real JRU in this game,“ said Meneses. “Siguro ang mga players ko, they were tight be cause most of them are rookies.“

Nat Matute added 16 points and five boards for the Heavy Bombers, but struggled with five turnovers. Byron Villarias contributed 11 markers, while center Ralph Monserat collared six rebounds.

Mapua, who played without Gab Banal, Joseph Eriobu, Jessie Saitanan and Mark Brana due to residency issues, erased a 14-21 first-quarter deficit by leading 50-48 at the start of the final period.

The Cardinals hung tough from eight deadlocks and 11 lead changes, but missed chances from Josan Nimes, Andretti Stevens and Kenneth Ighalo in the final seconds them in tears.

Scores:
LETRAN 80 -­ Ke. Alas 31, Belorio 14, Cruz 10, Racal 9, Cortes 8, Almazan 6, Lituania 2, Kr. Alas 0, Gabawan 0, Pantin 0, Luib 0.

SAN SEBASTIAN – 74 ­ Sangalang 24, Abueva 18, Dela Cruz 11, Balucanag 11, Antipuesto 4, Juico 2, Miranda 2, Rebollos 2, Pascual 0, Binuya 0, Maiquez 0.

Quarters: 14-13; 39-29; 50-53; 80-74.

JRU 65 ­- Lopez 20, Matute 16, Villarias 11, Monserat 5, Mabulac 4, Carampil 4, Camasura 3, Dela Paz 2, Mendoza 0, Maconocido 0, Almario 0, Salaveria 0, Porter 0.

MAPUA 64 ­- Estrella 22, Nimes 13, Ighalo 9, Chien 7, Stevens 7, Parala 3, Banal 2, Abad 1, Cantos 0, Layug 0.

Quarters: 21-14; 36-39; 48-50; 65-64.