Greater heights is where Jose Rizal University seems headed, especially after its biggest win so far in the Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup.
Not quitting from eight points down in the last three minutes of regulation, the Heavy Bombers stormed back to stun San Beda in overtime, 75-74, on Wednesday at the Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.
Rookie Sean Salvador starred in the comeback with 25 points, six coming from two triples that bookended JRU’s 8-0 blast to end regulation. Come the extra period, he drilled another trey in their 7-2 run for a 73-68 edge with 1:47 left.
Bismarck Lina and Jomel Puno connived to push the Red Lions to within two, 71-73, with 28 ticks to go, but a couple of charities from Shawn Argente allowed the Heavy Bombers to keep them at bay for good.
“Sabi sa’kin ng referees kanina, ‘Coach, parang pang-high school yung team mo,'” said first-year shot-caller Nani Epondulan, speaking of his young squad with nine rookies.
“Pero masaya akong makita yung laban ng mga bata. At least with Sean and Sanlea [Penaverde] at si Argente, malayo ang mararating ng JRU.”
Argente wound up with 12 points of his own, as Jay Garupil and Yuri Duque also added 14 and 11 markers, respectively, in the blue-and-gold’s rise to 3-5 in the NCAA Group of the tourney which has PlayTime Cares, Filoil, EcoOil, Hanes, Bostik El Heneral, Jiang Nan Hotpot, Lamtex Pipes, Smart, and Puso Pilipinas as major sponsors, and Harbor Star, Wallem, Akari, BDO, Tela.com Athletics, Nature’s Spring, Reyes Barbecue, and Brothers Burger as minor sponsors.
On the other hand, fresh off its training camp in Spain, San Beda suffered its second straight loss – and third overall in four games. Puno showed the way for them with 23 points and eight rebounds.
Meanwhile, Arellano scored its third win in a row at the expense of Lyceum, 78-76.
CJ Libang collected 11 points and six rebounds to lead three other teammates in double-digits, with all of T-Mc Ongotan, Maverick Vinoya, and Dre Miller scoring 10 apiece.
Even as the Pirates were keeping close throughout the contest, Arellano had all the answers to claim their fourth victory out of seven matches, tying reigning NCAA champion Mapua for fourth.
Lyceum, for its part, dropped to 1-5 despite the best efforts of Gyle Montano who had 19 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
