inboundpass.com – Covering Philippine college basketball / UAAP, NCAA, PCC

THE JOSE Rizal University Heavy Bombers gave their school and supporters one more reason to “Keep the Faith.�

Team captain Jayson Nocom delivered six of his 16 points in the pivotal fourth quarter as the Heavy Bombers forged a do-or-die match in the finals of the 84th NCAA men’s basketball tournament thanks to a 62-60 Game 2 squeaker against San Beda last September 26, 2008 at the Araneta Coliseum.

JRU relied on crucial defensive stops made by JR Sena and Nchotu Njei to thwart a late Red Lion comeback in front of a crowd of more than 19,000.

After Pong Escobal sank two foul shots with 34.2 ticks left that trimmed the Jose Rizal lead to two, 60-62, the Red Lions had a chance to tie or win the game after Marc Cagoco missed a lay-up with 21 seconds left.

But Escobal’s potential game-winning triple with 2.5 seconds remaining bounced off the rim despite having a clear look at the basket. Njei ended up with the rebound after a miscue and was sent to the charity stripe with 1.1 ticks left. He failed to connect on his first free throw and intentionally missed the second to hand JRU the victory.

The two squads will lock horns for a winner-take-all Game 3 on Monday, September 29, at the Big Dome.

“It was our defense that won it for us. Although we were outrebounded, we were able to limit them to only 60 points,� said Ariel Vanguardia, the JRU mentor. “We are still alive and I’m sure we’ll push them to the limit on Monday.�

Nocom, who also hauled down seven rebounds, scored three early big baskets to help give the Heavy Bombers a 19-14 first period lead.

“That’s our best defensive game ever but we need to be more accurate on Monday,� said Nocom. “The most important game for us this season is on Monday.�

The Red Lions, who drew 15 points and 13 rebounds from 2008 MVP Sam Ekwe, crawled back in the second quarter after outscoring the Heavy Bombers in a tight 10-minute period.

Things spiraled down for the defending champions in the third quarter, however. Ekwe was assessed his fourth foul with 8:10 left in third quarter while guarding Sena. “That was a lousy foul to call. His hands were up. I think that’s a lousy foul,� San Beda coach Frankie Lim said.

“We’ll try to correct it in practice tomorrow, [these] defensive patterns [of ours],� said Lim.

Ekwe eventually fouled out with 4:26 to go in the fourth after a driving Sena put up a shot that went in, paving the way for a three-point play.

JRU swingman John Wilson scored 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the field and caromed five rebounds, while Sena added 11 points and nine boards for JRU. Escobal led San Beda with 16 points and five rebounds.

Nocom’s undergoal stab off a Sena drop pass provided Jose Rizal a 62-58 lead with 41.4 seconds to go before Escobal hit both his free throws.

Although JRU was outrebounded, 55-34, the Heavy Bombers went wild in the open court and scored 14 fastbreak points compared to the five San Beda posted. They also outhustled the Red Lions, as shown in their +5 advantage in assists and steals.

The scores:

JRU 62 – Nocom 16, Wilson 13, Sena 11, Bulangis 7, Cagoco 4, Hayes 4, Njei 4, Pradas 3, Lopez 0, Kabigting 0.

San Beda 60 – Escobal 16, Ekwe 15, Menor 9, Taganas 5, Hermida 4, Marcelo 4, Tirona 3, Gamalinda 2, Pascual 2.

Quarter scores: 19-14; 30-28; 45-44; 62-60

(12 votes, average: 2.83 out of 5)

 Loading ...