NCAA 2010 - JRU oust Arellano secures slot in FInal 4

THE JOSE RIZAL University (JRU) Heavy Bomber secured a slot in the Final Four as they edged the Arellano University Chiefs, 67-64, in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament yesterday at the Arena in San Juan City.


John Njei, a forward from Cameroon, came away with his best effort of the tournament so far as he scored 13 points and added two rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. More importantly, he defended Arellano's red-hot wingman, Adrian Celada, in the game's waning seconds and prevented him from scoring the game-tying three pointer.

Celada unleashed his season-high 30 points including 24 in the second half when he kept the Chiefs afloat amid the offensive juggernaut unloaded by the Bombers. The sweet-shooting Celada actually buried five triples—all in the last two quarters—but couldn’t hit the last one against Njei before the endgame buzzer sounded that would have knotted the count and send the game into overtime.

The Bombers sealed their ninth win in 12 outings that ensured them a place in the Final Four alongside the unbeaten San Beda Lions and the San Sebastian Stags.

The Chiefs fell to their eighth setback against four wins but remained in contention if they could sweep their remaining four games and hope the idle Mapua Cardinals (7-4) lose at least four of their last five outings.

BOX SCORES:

Jose Rizal 67- Njei 13, Matute 10, Lopez 10, Apinan 8, Hayes 6, Almario 4, Etame 4, Montemayor 4, Kabigting 4, Bulangis 4.

Arellano U 64- Celada 30, Lapuz 12, Tayongtong 11, del Rosario 4, Zulueta 3, Casino 2, Ciriacruz 2, Caperal 0, Anquilo 0. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio