TEYTEY Teodoro put on another clutch performance, scoring eight of his 23 points in overtime to lift Jose Rizal University over skidding Letran, 75-68, on Tuesday in the NCAA Season 92 seniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Heavy Bombers extended their winning streak to three matches to surpass the .500 mark for the first time this season with a 6-5 win-loss slate.
The Knights have lost four straight matches to skid to a 5-6 slate.
Atoning for a botched final play regulation, Teodoro took charge in overtime for JRU, scoring the go-ahead jumper that led to an 8-0 run by the Heavy Bombers.
Teodoro hit another crucial jumper, shaking off Rey Nambatac to score a wide-open triple that put JRU ahead by five points, 71-66.
JRU moved to solo fifth place in the team standings and coach Vergel Meneses hopes the Bombers can sustain the rise.
“Siguro this year, ’yung JRU, first back-to-back namin. Ngayon, first three straight wins. Sana four straight,” said Meneses.
JRU led by as many as 14 points but lost composure and were forced into playing an extra five minutes.
With the game tied at 59, Teodoro was given the assignment to take the last shot, but the JRU star elected to pass the ball, and the Heavy Bombers turned the ball over.
“We should play smart basketball in crunch time. They (Letran) were in penalty but they kept on shooting from the outside instead of pounding the ball inside,” Meneses said.
Paolo Pontejos scored 16 points, while Ervin Grospe added 10 points for JRU, which also got eight points and 15 rebounds from Abel Poutouochi.
Nambatac had 19 points for the Knights but their slide continued as they failed to hold on after taking a 64-60 lead in overtime.
The scores:
JRU 75 — Teodoro 23, Pontejos 16, Grospe 10, Poutouchi 8, Dela Virgen 7, Cruz 3, Lasquety 2, Dela Paz 2 Abdul Wahab 2, Dada 2.
Letran 68—Nambatac 19, Calvo 18, Quinto 14, Sollano 8, Balanza 7, Luib 2, Apreku 0, Ambohot 0, Pambid 0.
Quarterscores: 21-13; 37-32; 46-43; 59-59; 75-68.
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