JOSE Rizal University ended a seven-game losing streak against San Beda with a 83-80 win in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

The last time the Bombers prevailed over the Red Lions was on September 6, 2016 – a 97-88 second round conquest to complete a rare season sweep under then coach Vergel Meneses.

Louie Gonzalez, the third year JRU mentor, was amazed the way his troops displayed resiliency despite squandering a 46-26 lead that allowed San Beda to claw back in the second half.

“Siguro nagiging successful kami because we work together,” said Gonzalez, as his team continued its rise from a 0-2 start.

Protecting huge leads is what the Bombers, who moved in a tie with the Red Lions in third place at 4-2, need to address especially that they are next facing the league’s hottest team. JRU will play Lyceum of the Philippines University on Friday.

“Yung 20 points na lamang namin in the middle of the game, siguro iyon ang pinakamalaking kalaban namin. Are we gonna be satisfied winning by 20 but still we just have to win or we gonna this strong?” said Gonzalez.

“Siguro ito ang babalkan ko later on pag ni-review ko. Anong nangyari at naging mali ang mindset namin na akala namin by winning by 20, tapos na laro. Kasi hindi naman kami mananalo talaga ng ganoon,” he added.

After a Ry dela Rosa traveling violation, San Beda tried to send the game into overtime in the final 10 seconds but James Kwekuteye bungled a lay-up.

Fouled by JB Bahio on the rebound play, Joshua Guiab hit the first free throw and missed the second but, but William Sy grabbed the possession to seal the win for JRU.

In the second game which also went down the wire, University of Perpetual Help System Dalta nipped hard-luck Emilio Aguinaldo College, 55-54, to join Arellano University in fifth spot at 4-3.

The Generals tried to snatch the elusive first victory, but Ralph Robin could not convert a drive against Mark Omega in the final 0.9 seconds.

“A win is still a win. Deserve naman nila manalo,” said Altas coach Myk Saguiguit. “Kumbaga kahit manalo ka malaki, panalo pa rin iyon. Manalo ka naman ng one point, panalo pa rin iyon. So I give credit to my boys.”

EAC dropped to 0-6, just above Mapua’s league-worst 0-7 record.

Agem Miranda came through with a career-high 21 points, three assists and three rebounds in 26 minutes of action while John Amores chipped in 19 points for the Bombers.

Bahio paced the Red Lions with 19 points and 10 rebounds while Gab Cometa added 15 points and three assists.

Omega had 15 points and 11 rebounds while Rey Barcuma chipped in 10 points, four boards, two assists and two steals for Perpetual.

Joshua Tolentino scored 15 points while JC Luciano pulled down 13 rebounds for the Generals.

The scores:

First game

JRU (83) — Miranda 21, Amores 19, Dionisio 16, Guiab 14, Dela Rosa 6, Sy 4, Gonzales 2, Celis 1, Delos Santos 0, Arenal 0, Villarin 0.
San Beda (80) — Bahio 19, Cometa 15, Kwekuteye 14, Ynot 12, Andrada 6, Alfaro 4, Cortez 4, Sanchez 3, Visser 2, Tagala 1, Cuntapay 0, Jopia 0.
Quarterscores: 24-16, 49-33, 66-58, 83-80

Second game

Perpetual (55) — Omega 15, Barcuma 10, Razon 8, Aurin 6, Ferreras 5, Martel 3, Cuevas 3, Roque 2, Nitura 2, Egan 1, Abis 0, Orgo 0, Boral 0, Flores 0.
EAC (54) — Tolentino 15, Maguliano 7, Luciano 7, Liwag 5, Robin 4, An. Doria 4, Gurtiza 4, Umpad 4, Bajon 4, Cosa 0, Quinal 0, Cabuhat 0.
Quarterscores: 16-12, 41-28, 47-43, 55-54.

Standings

W L
Benilde 5 1
LPU 5 1
JRU 4 2
San Beda 4 2
Arellano 4 3
Perpetual 4 3
Letran 3 3
SSC-R 2 3
EAC 0 6
Mapua 0 7

Games Wednesday

(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
12 noon – Mapua vs Benilde
3 p.m. – Letran vs SSC-R