Coming into Tuesday’s game still licking the wounds of a narrow loss, Jose Rizal University (JRU) got back into its rhythm in Group A of the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament in an authoritative way after drubbing Lyceum, 94-69, at San Juan Arena on Tuesday.
The Heavy Bombers put a three-point loss to San Beda over the weekend behind, hiking their record to 3-1 and tying with the College of St. Benilde at the top of the group.
After holding a slim three-point lead at the end of the opening frame, Jose Rizal kept its foot on the gas pedal and churned out a 28-point second period that buried the Pirates in a deep hole they never came close to getting out of the rest of the way.
By halftime, the Bombers held a 53-35 lead, which later on ballooned to as big as 34 points.
Lawrence Mangubat starred for JRU with 23 points while Jamir Eligado held down the fort with a double-double of 22 points and 16 rebounds. Eligado was also a perfect 10-for-10 from the field.
Mangubata also didn’t miss in 10 free throw attempts, while Eligado also had seven points in the second quarter when the Heavy Bombers gained complete command.
‘I’m just thankful that coach Nani (Epondulan) gave me a chance,’ said Eligado. ‘He trusts me, my teammates trust me and that’s good because I work on my role. I really just do my job.’
Roger Ondoa was the only Pirate to score in double digits, dropping 21 points in Lyceum’s third loss in four games.
Earlier, Emilio Aguinaldo College slayed its fourth-quarter ghosts to post a 94-87 win over San Sebastian.
‘In all our [previous] games, we’re always in the game in the first to third quarters, and then we collapse in the fourth,’ Generals coach Jerson Cabiltes said. ‘That didn’t happen this time.
‘I’m very glad with the first win but with what I saw, it was very tough to get it.’
Wilmar Oftana and Jacob Shanoda turned in 18 points a piece in the Generals’ win, with MJ and Harvae Raymundo scattering 17 and 12 points, respectively.