Bombers tie Stags for fourth with win

Exhibiting a departure from their tentative and confused offensive game against the San Beda Red Lions last week, Jose Rizal University relentlessly attacked the basket and hustled for possessions and converted crucial free throws in the process.

Thumping San Sebastian College, 67-63, at The Arena in San Juan on Saturday night, the Bombers are now tied with last year’s third placers for fourth and fifth place with a 4-3 record in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

Erecting a 55-47 to start the fourth quarter, the Stags regained the lead through dribble drives from CJ Perez, mid-range jumpers from Jovit de la Cruz, and two three-pointers by wildcard Raffy Gusi to lead, 63-62, coming to the last two minutes.

However, the Stags misplayed in the defensive end by giving up three fouls, with the fatal foul committed by De la Cruz off a rebound tussle with Juan Salaveria.

Salaveria then swished the final two free throws of the game as the Bombers won, 67-63.

In the fourth quarter, the Bombers converted seven of ten free throws and were superior on the stripe throughout the game with 21 conversions compared to the Stags’ 12.

The Stags also committed three unforced turnovers in the last two minutes, which included a backing violation as Ortuoste slipped toward JRU’s court, a lost ball by a driving Perez, and a botched inbound in their final possession of the game.

“In the fourth quarter we made stops and the bottom line throughout the game is we made stops. The composure is there when we were down by one but nahabol, and that’s a good sign,” said JRU head coach Vergel Meneses.

Jordan de la Paz led the way for the Bombers with a career high 21 points on top of nine boards while Perez led the Stags with 17 points and eight rebounds.