JOSE Rizal University stunned College of Saint Benilde, 74-68, to become the last team to enter the win column in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the La Salle Greenhills Gym.

Coach Charles Tiu’s fears came true, as the erstwhile winless Bombers came in the game as the aggressor to end a five-game losing skid, while handing the Blazers a major blow in making it to the Final Four outright.

With a 4-2 card, CSB fell one-and-a-half game behind joint leaders Letran and San Beda, which at 4-0 are the only unbeaten teams in the tournament.

Marwin Dionisio produced the game’s biggest basket – a lay-up that gave JRU a 73-68 advantage with 38 seconds remaining.

“This is really big for us. Nakita namin na kaya pala naming tumapos. Sa mga past few games, ang talagang problema namin is finish. They showed character and they can finish every possession,” said Bombers coach Louie Gonzales.

JL Delos Santos had a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds while Jason Celis, JRU’s leading scorer, added 17 markers to go with four boards and two assists.

Dionisio scored all of his nine points in the second half, including seven in the payoff period and grabbed 11 rebounds.

Will Gozum had a fantastic outing with the Blazers with 17 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks before leaving early in the second half due to a right foot injury.

Prior to his departure, back-to-back baskets by Gozum at the start of the third quarter gave CSB its first lead at 34-33.

AJ Benson chipped in 13 points, four rebounds and two assists while Robi Nayve added 12 points, four boards and three assists for the Blazers.

The scores:

JRU (74) — Delos Santos 19, Celis 17, Dionisio 9, Agbong 7, Bongay 7, Jungco 6, Arenal 5, Macatangay 4, Estrella 0, G. Gonzales 0.
CSB (68) — Gozum 17, Benson 13, Nayve 12, Corteza 10, Carlos 10, Marcos 3, Lepalam 2, Flores 1, Cullar 0, Sangco 0, Lim 0, Publico 0, Davis 0.
Quarterscores: 17-14, 33-30, 49-50, 74-68

Games today

(La Salle Greenhills Gym)
12 noon – SSC-R vs EAC
3 p.m. – Mapua vs Perpetual