Games on Thursday
(Filoil EcoOil Arena)
9:30 a.m. – CSB vs Letran (Jrs/Srs)
2:30 p.m. – Mapúa vs UPHSD (Srs/Jrs)
JOSE RIZAL University (JRU) rode on Sean Salvador’s career performance as it repulsed Emilio Aguinaldo College, 69-66, on Wednesday to stay in the race for an outright quarterfinal berth in NCAA Season 101 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
Mr. Salvador came off the bench to unleash his best effort to date as he fired 24 points including a pair of clutch free throws that helped seal the JRU Bombers their sixth win against five defeats.
It also pushed JRU half a game closer from catching up with College of St. Benilde and Colegio de San Juan de Letran, which are tied at No. 2 with 6-4 cards in Group B.
San Beda University leads the bracket with a 7-3 slate.
The EAC Generals stumbled to 4-6.
Earlier, Arellano University turned back San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 78-71, to remain at No. 3 in Group A with a 4-6 record.
T-Mc Ongotan had an all-around effort with 25 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block while Renzo Abiera chipped in 20 points that helped AU fortify its place at third in its bracket.
Of course, making it in the top three in the group would seal it an outright quarterfinal entry while eluding the more dangerous possible position, a spot in the do-or-die play-in.
“Our target is to at least get No. 3 if we couldn’t get to No. 2,” said AU coach Chico Manabat.
It was also a result that snapped the Stags’ two-game streak and sent them reeling to an eighth defeat against three wins. — Joey Villar
The scores:
First Game
AU 78 – Ongotan 25, Abiera 20, Hernal 9, Geronimo 6, Valencia 4, Vinoya 4, Borromeo 2, Demetria 2, Camay 2, Cabotaje 2, Acop 2, Libang 0, Buenaventura 0, Langit 0, Anama 0
SSC-R 71 – Castor 19, Ricio 14, Segovia 11, Dela Rama 11, Felebrico 5, Cabilla 5, Gabat 4, Lumanag 2, Cuajao 0, Dimaunahan 0
Quarterscores: 22-20; 40-38; 63-55; 78-71
Second Game
JRU 69 – Salvador 24, Laurenaria 15, Argente 12, Garupil 8, Panapanaan 4, Duque 3, Herrera 2, Sarmiento 1, Benitez 0, Catapang 0, J. Castillo 0 EAC 66 – Ochavo 19, Oftana 12, Bagay 11, Quinal 8, Shanoda 5, Angeles 4, Doria 3, EJ Castillo 2, Tolentino 2, Loristo 0, Omandac 0, Lucero 0, Bacud 0, Villarente 0, Jacob 0
Quarterscores: 20-22; 35-35; 45-41; 69-66