Rizal University formalized its entry into the Final Four after shrugging off a slow start to demolish St. Benilde, 73-55, in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
From a 24-all deadlock with under three minutes left in the second quarter, the Heavy Bombers closed out the period on a 13-0 blast to grab a commanding 37-24 halftime lead, virtually ending the competitive phase of the match.
Guard Raycon Kabigting started and ended that said run with two triples then Nate Matute extended the lead by uncorking three treys in the second half to propel the Mandaluyong-based squad, which led by a high of 23 points, to their 10th win in 13 outings.
Kabigting made all of his 11 points in the first half while Matute shared topscoring honors with lanky Jeckster Apinan with 17 points spiked by five triples.
JRU clinched its fourth consecutive Final Four dating back to 2007 but coach Vergel Meneses hopes to see more consistency from his team with three games left in the schedule.
"Sinasabi ko nga sa team na kailangan before matapos ang elimination round makakuha kami ng momentum para may kumpiyansa kami sa Final Four," said Meneses.
In the other game, Arellano leaned on Isiah Ciriacruz's 19 points and Jerald Lapuz's 16 markers to defeat former NCRAA rivals Emilio Aguinaldo College, 71-60. The Chiefs, who snapped a three-game skid, claimed their fifth win against eight setbacks.
First Game
JRU 73 — Matute 17, Apinan 17, Bulangis 14, Kabigting 11, Lopez J. 6, Njei 5, Montemayor 2, Hayes 1, Etame 0, Duncil 0, Almario 0.
ST. BENILDE 55 — Lastimosa 18, de Guzman 10, McCoy 8, Nayve 6, Sinco 4, Tan 4, Wong 2, Argamino 2, Manalac 1, Abolucion 0, Amin 0.
Quarters: 14-12; 37-24; 56-39; 73-55.
JRU 73 — Matute 17, Apinan 17, Bulangis 14, Kabigting 11, Lopez J. 6, Njei 5, Montemayor 2, Hayes 1, Etame 0, Duncil 0, Almario 0.
ST. BENILDE 55 — Lastimosa 18, de Guzman 10, McCoy 8, Nayve 6, Sinco 4, Tan 4, Wong 2, Argamino 2, Manalac 1, Abolucion 0, Amin 0.
Quarters: 14-12; 37-24; 56-39; 73-55.
Second Game
ARELLA NO 71 — Ciriacruz 19, Lapuz 16, Celada 15, Zulueta 10, Tayongtong 7, Acidre 4, del Rosario 0, Virtudazo 0.
EAC 60 — Vargas 13, Cubo 11, Tuazon 8, Mendoza 7, Yaya L. 7, Jamon 6, Chiong 5, Sanchez 2, Yaya R. 1, Lapitan 0, Villegas 0, Diolanto 0.
Quarters: 19-23; 44-38; 57-46; 71-60.
ARELLA NO 71 — Ciriacruz 19, Lapuz 16, Celada 15, Zulueta 10, Tayongtong 7, Acidre 4, del Rosario 0, Virtudazo 0.
EAC 60 — Vargas 13, Cubo 11, Tuazon 8, Mendoza 7, Yaya L. 7, Jamon 6, Chiong 5, Sanchez 2, Yaya R. 1, Lapitan 0, Villegas 0, Diolanto 0.
Quarters: 19-23; 44-38; 57-46; 71-60.
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