JOSE Rizal University spoiled three-time champion Letran's season debut with an 85-79 overtime win in the NCAA Season 99 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.
Agem Miranda was JRU's scoring hero at crunch time, finishing with 17 big points as last season's ninth-placed teams overcame multiple deficits then proved steadier in overtime against the defending champions.
Letran's Vince Cuajao hit a clutch three-pointer to force overtime, but the Knights couldn't match the Heavy Bombers' shooting in extra time.
“We were trailing the whole game and hirap na hirap kaming makuha ‘yung tamang combination. Pero lumabas ‘yung chemistry, lumabas ‘yung tiwala nila sa bawat isa, tapos siguro ‘dun na rin talaga pumasok ‘yung maturity (ng team),” said Bombers coach Louie Gonzales after his first opening day win at JRU.
Miranda, who hit three of four free throws in the extra period, was keen on avoiding a rerun of the Heavy Bombers' 97-101 loss to the Knights in the opening game last season.
“‘Nung fourth quarter, akala namin panalo na eh,” Miranda admitted. “Kaso ganun na naman ‘yung course ng nangyari gaya ng last season. Lamang kami ng tatlo tapos naka-shoot sila ng three points.”
Knights seek redemption
“‘Pagka-shoot nila ng three points, parang na-shock na naman ako. Pero 'nung overtime, sabi ko kailangan kami naman ‘yung manalo.”
Letran eyes redemption against Lyceum on Wednesday while JRU seeks to go 2-0 (win-loss) over Benilde on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
The scores:
JRU (85) - Miranda 17, Dionisio 17, Argente 12, Sarmiento 10, Delos Santos 9, Guiab 8, De Leon 5, Ramos 4, Dela Rosa 3, Arenal 0, Pabico 0, Medina 0, Barrera 0, Sy 0.
Letran (79) - Reyson 18, Santos 16, Cuajao 12, Javillonar 12, Monje 11, Fajardo 4, Go 4, Ariar 2, Tolentino 0, Galvez 0, Guarino 0, Bataller 0.
Quarterscores: 16-24; 39-40; 54-56; 73-73; 85-79.
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