Barring a last minute scare, Jose Rizal University (JRU) shot down San Sebastian College’s fourth-quarter rally to pull out an 82-77 result on Monday at The Arena in San Juan City and clinch their first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) seniors’ basketball Final Four berth since 2011.
Led by Philip Paniamogan’s 24 points and six steals, the Bombers are assured of the third final four slot due to superior quotient should College of Saint Benilde forge a three-way tie on Wednesday or a playoff for positioning with University of Perpetual Help should Letran win over the Blazers.
JRU has twice beaten the Altas in the elimination round while it has won a wider spread against the Blazers, 69-61, in the first round as compared to their second round loss to them, 69-71.
“It’s nice to be back in the Final Four and credit goes to the players. They want to make it to the semis,” said a relieved JRU head coach Vergel Meneses, who last led his alma mater to the Final Four in 2011.
The Heavy Bombers’ achievement was very hard though, as the Mandaluyong-based squad squandered a 25-point lead in the third quarter only for San Sebastian to come as close as three point in the last minute of the game.
The Heavy Bombers capitalized on their superior outside shooting in the first quarter as they shot four early triples courtesy of Paniamogan, Anthony Benavides, and Dave Sanchez.
The Stags fought back in the second quarter under the lead of their hot shooting guard Jamil Ortuoste, who fired seven points off pull-up shots from the perimeter.
His splendid game was spoiled though as JRU extended their defense to the perimeter while power forward Michael Mabulac lorded the shaded lane.
Things went awry for the Stags when head coach Topez Robinson was called for a second technical foul for continuous complaining, which led to his expulsion in the game.
A technical foul was also assessed to his assistant Rodney Santos, resulting in four made free throws by Paniamogan for a 62-37 spread.
Unfazed, the Stags made a comeback as Ortuoste fired another seven points, this time off hard drives resulting in five made free throws, to end the third quarter with a 55-69 deficit.
His backcourt buddies in CJ Perez and Israel Camasura backed his solid performance, with the former converting on dribble penetrations while the latter hit two crucial treys late in the fourth quarter for a 75-79 deficit.
Camasura’s trey in the last minute of the game was the last hurrah for the Stags as his teardrop shot was swatted by JRU’s beanpole Abdul Wahab Abdul Razak with 28 seconds left in the ballgame.
Paniamogan then finished the job with three made free throws.
“It’s sweet. All of us helped each other, all of us trust the system. Credit goes to coach Vergel because of the system he made,” Paniamogan said after the game.
Jamil Ortuoste compiled 22 points on seven-for-12 shooting and four steals, while CJ Perez and Ivan Camasura bannered their late-match charge and amounted for 13 apiece.
Last year’s third placer San Sebastian closed its Season 90 campaign with a 5-13 record, which placed them at eighth place, which was JRU’s position last season.
