MANILA – Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers overcame a huge San Beda University Red Lions uprising for an 83-80 escape in the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball on Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Agem Miranda came through with a career-high 21 points, three assists and three rebounds as the Heavy Bombers recorded its fourth straight victory to tie the Red Lions with 4-2 slate.
John Amores chipped in 19 points, while Marwin Dionisio and Joshua Guiab contributed 16 and 14 markers, respectively. The Heavy Bombers notched its first win against the Red Lions since September 6, 2016.
However, the victory still nearly got out of the Heavy Bombers hand after seeing their 20-point lead trimmed to two but the Red Lions failed to capitalize as James Kwekuteye missed a lay-up.
Fouled by Red Lions’ JB Bahio on the rebound play, Guiab hit the first free throw and missed the second but, but teammate William Sy grabbed the possession to seal the win for JRU.
“Yung 20 points na lamang in the middle of the game, siguro iyon ang pinakamalaking kalaban namin,” said Bombers coach Louie Gonzalez. “Siguro ito ang babalikan ko later on pag ni-review ko. Anong nangyari at naging mali ang mindset namin.”
Bahio finished with double-double 19 points and 10 rebounds while Gab Cometa added 15 points and three assists as the Red Lions failed to score a follow up to its huge win over Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights over the weekend.
In the other match, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Altas survived a tough stand by the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals for a 55-54 escape to improve to 4-3. The Generals remained win-less after six games.
The Generals had a golden opportunity to enter the win-column as they were down 54-55 but second year guard Ralph Robin missed his two free throws with 37 seconds left and also misfired his layup with two seconds left to allow the Altas to escape with a win.
Mark Omega top-scored with for the Altas with 15 points, on 5-of-8 shooting from the field, with 11 rebounds and a block, while Rey Barcuma added 10 points, four boards, and two dimes.
BOX SCORE:
JRU 83 — Miranda 21, Amores 19, Dionisio 16, Guiab 14, Dela Rosa 6, Sy 4, Gonzales 2, Celis 1, Delos Santos 0, Arenal 0, Villarin 0.
SAN BEDA 80 — Bahio 19, Cometa 15, Kwekuteye 14, Ynot 12, Andrada 6, Alfaro 4, Cortez 4, Sanchez 3, Visser 2, Tagala 1, Cuntapay 0, Jopia 0.
Quarterscores: 24-16, 49-33, 66-58, 83-80./PN
