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THE Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers finally showed why they were touted as one of the favourites in Season 84 of the NCAA seniors basketball tournament.

JR Sena delivered nine of his game-high 21 points in the final period as the Heavy Bombers outlasted College of Saint Benilde, 75-67, last July 7, 2008 at the Pasay Astrodome.

“Everybody wanted to win this game,” said Sena, who shot 7-of-15 from the field. “It was our [goal] to win this game. Our coach told us to forget the last two games and start playing tough again.”

JRU began the game impressively, with Sena and guard Jay-R Bulangis combining for 12 points to build a 22-11 lead at the end of first quarter.

Despite the Blazers’ consistent second period scoring, JRU managed to maintain its advantage, thanks in part to playmaker Marc Cagoco, who pumped in nine of his 20 points, including back-to-back treys to keep the lead at 32-24 with 1:06 to go. The point guard from Davao also shot 5-of-8 from rainbow country.

CSB though fought back to tie the game at the end of the third canto after outscoring JRU, 24-19, to tie the count at 53 at the end of three periods.

The Blazers threatened at 59-62 after an Aaron Umlas triple, but shooting guard John Wilson countered with his own three, and was followed by a Sena three-point play to increase the Heavy Bombers’ lead, 68-59, with 6:02 left.

Coach Gee Abanilla’s wards threatened thanks to back-to-back baskets from Robbie Mañalac and Jeff Morial, but were countered by a Wilson free throw and a lay-up from Sena with 1:40 to go, which effectively sealed the game for the Bombers.

“Hopefully this win would be the start of something big for us. We missed 20 free throws in our first game against Letran while we failed to sustain our defense against San Sebastian College,” said Heavy Bombers mentor Ariel Vanguardia.

Wilson helped the JRU cause with 10 points, while Cameroonian Nchotu John Njei tallied seven markers and nine boards.

Jeff Morial scored 17 points to lead CSB, while Archie David added 12 points and five rebounds.

JRU improved its record to 1-2, while the Blazers’ second straight defeat sent them to an even 2-2 slate.

Defense and free-throw shooting spelled the difference for both teams.

JRU’s aggressiveness earned them a 14-of-18 clip from the free throw line, while CSB converted on only 5-of-10. The Heavy Bombers outrebounded the Blazers, 43-32, and had more steals, 14-6.

Individual Scores:

JRU 75 – Sena 21, Cagoco 20, Wilson 10, Njei 7, Hayes 6, Bulangis 5, Apinan 4, Nocom 2, Almario 0, Kabigting 0, Agas 0, Lopez 0.

CSB 67 – Morial 17, David 12, Manlapaz 8, Mañalac 6, Dalanon 6, Santos 6, Montecastro 5, Umlas 3, Abolucion 2, Sevilla 2, Johnston 0, de la Paz 0.

Quarter Scores: 22-11; 34-29; 53-53; 75-67

Tags: CSB-Blazers, Jose-Rizal-University-Heavy-Bombers, NCAA-Season-84, News, Petron

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