JOSE Rizal University frustrated University of Perpetual Help anew with an 82-79 overtime victory in their playoff on Friday at The Arena in San Juan to claim third seed in the Final Four of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
Eager to enter the semifinals on a high note, the Heavy Bombers buried the crucial baskets in the extra session after squandering a late lead in regulation on the way to notching a fourth straight victory.
Rookie guard Tey Teodoro shone brightest for the Bombers, as they also sustained their mastery of the Altas, defeating them for the third time this season.
The Bombers face the second-seeded Arellano Chiefs and the Altas take on No. 1 San Beda.
“Gusto talaga namin manalo para madala namin sa Final Four,” Bombers coach Vergel Meneses said.
Both the Bombers and Altas, however, have to win twice in a row in the next round to advance to the best-of-three title series.
Playing with maturity beyond his years, Teodoro scattered a team-high 16 points, including the go-ahead triple in overtime, which also would not have been possible if not for his short fall-away jumper that knotted the count at 73 and forced the extra period.
The Bombers, who swept their head-to-head matchup against the Altas in the eliminations, had the chance to win in regulation as they led, 69-65, after a Teodoro reverse layup with three minutes and 27 seconds left.
But the Altas knocked down back-to-back triples courtesy of Earl Thompson, who was shackled throughout, and Juneric Baloria to momentarily gain the lead.
Razak Abdul Wahab converted two charities, before Baloria retaliated with a fade-away jumper to set up the stage for Teodoro’s heroics.
The scores:
JRU 82 – Teodoro 16, Paniamogan 15, Abdul Wahab 11, Benavides 9, Balagtas 8, Mabulac 8, Sanchez 4, Asuncion 4, Astilla 2, Grospe 2, Manuel 2, Lasquety 1
UPHSD 79 – Alano 19, Arboleda 17, Baloria 16, Dagangon 10, Gallardo 8, Thompson 5, Oliveria 4, Dizon 0, Ylagan 0, Tamayo 0, Bantayan 0, Lucente 0, Jolangcob 0
Quarterscores: 16-12, 34-32, 50-55, 73-73, 82-79
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