SEAN Salvador bounced back in a big way for Jose Rizal University as he powered the Heavy Bombers to a 69-66 win over the EAC Generals in the NCAA Season 101 on Wednesday at the Playtime Filoil Center in San Juan.
Shackled in their blowout loss against Letran, the highly-touted rookie fired 24 points in the win anchored on six triples as the Heavy Bombers stayed in step with the Group B pacesetters after improving to 6-5.
His biggest three came with 37 seconds left in the game as he gave the Heavy Bombers a 67-65 lead, the basket that would turn out to be the game-winner.
Kyle Ochavo had the chance to tie the game but split his foul shots, forcing the Generals to foul Salvador on the other end, with the rookie out of Mapua draining both of his freebies to extend the league to three.
Andrey Doria then missed a last ditch attempt to send the game into overtime for the Generals.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila, returning to our bracket, wala nang madaling laro,” JRU head coach Nani Epondulan said.
“Nag-show yan sa game namin sa Letran where dinominate talaga kami ng Letran pero this game sa EAC, sabi ko sa kanila if you don’t come ready, physically and mentally same result lang yung makukuha natin. Nag-respond naman ang mga bata."
Allan Laurenaria added 15 points, nine rebounds and two blocks while Shawn Argente chipped in 12 points for the Heavy Bombers who just continues to surprise people by competing in the so-called group of death.
With just three games remaining for them, they’re just half a game behind the St. Benilde and Letran who are both tied at 6-4.
“Di ko na alam masasabi ko sa mga players ko kasi nag-overachieve na sila e. I mean yung mga bata kasi, talaga alam natin mga rookie fresh from high school, to see them show this kind of character, iba iba talaga. Sabi ko nga sa kanila, hindi ako nagkamali na kinuha ko sila,” Epondulan continued.
“Yung never say die at yung puso na nawala sa JRU before is unti-unti na naming binabalik with them.”
Kyle Ochavo led the Generals with 19 points but it wasn’t enough as they fell to 4-6 for the tournament.
The scores:
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
Quarters: 20-22, 35-35, 45-41, 69-66
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