JOSE Rizal University remained on course for its first Final Four stint in six years with a 77-64 drubbing of Emilio Aguinaldo College yesterday in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

It was the Bombers’ first 10-win season since 2017, where they last reached the Final Four with an 11-7 elimination round record.

With a 10-6 slate, JRU holds a one-game advantage over idle San Beda (8-6) in the race for the No. 4 spot.

The Bombers will face the Red Lions in what could be a potential turning point of their respective seasons on Saturday morning.

Marwin Dionisio led the Bombers with 16 points and eight rebounds, Joshua Guiab logged a double-double outing of 11 points and 11 boards, while Jonathan Medina also scored 11 points and grabbed six rebounds.

The Generals fell to 8-8 card in seventh spot. EAC, which will take on surging University of Perpetual Help System Dalta on Saturday, is now trailing JRU by two games in the chase for the last Final Four berth.

Earlier, Kobe Monje took charge and led deposed champion Letran to a 67-58 victory over the Arellano University.

While that win, the second in 16 games, couldn’t save its lost season, it may have ushered in a new era in the Knights basketball that was supposed to be for next season and years to come.

And Monje, who had a game-high 13 points he spiked with three rebounds, four assists and a steal, is at Letran’s centerpiece.

“I’m proud of Kobe since I started at Letran, player ko na sya sa Team B,” said Knights coach Rensy Bajar, who lost Kurt Reyson, Nicko Fajardo and Andrei Guarino to season-ending injuries, of Monje.

“Kung ano approach ko sa kanya nung 2019, andun pa din. Siya yung nasa level na pwede maging superstar sa liga na ito,” he added.

For Monje, he’s ready to take on a bigger role.

“Nung una hindi ko pa mailabas ganun na role. Dati kasi role player lang ako, naglalaro lang ako five mins, pinakamatagal 15 minutes,” said Monje.

The Chiefs fell to 2-13.

The scores:

First game

Letran (67) – Monje 13, Garupil 9, Cuajao 8, Batallier 8, Santos 7, Go 6, Jumao-as 6, Bojorcelo 5, Javillonar 5, Ariar 0.
Arellano (58) – Abastillas 9, Sunga 9, Mallari 7, Talampas 6, Capulong 5, Yanes 5, Tan 5, Villarente 4, Geronimo 4, Dayrit 2, Dela Cruz 2, Camay 0, Angolan 0, Rosalin 0.
Quarterscores: 25-15; 40-32; 56-42; 67-58

Second game

JRU (77) – Dionisio 16, Medina 11, Guiab 11, Sarmiento 10, Miranda 8, Delos Santos 7, Dela Rosa 6, Pabilo 5, Arenal 2, De Leon 1, Argente 0, Ramos 0, Sy 0.
EAC (64) – Cosejo 12, Maguliano 12, Gurtiza 11, Luciano 6, Tolentino 6, Angeles 5, Robin 4, Quinal 3, Loristo 2, Umpad 1, Bacud 0, Cosa 0.
Quarterscores: 25-23; 42-39; 59-57; 77-64.