Bombers escape Lions in confidence-boosting squeaker

Games Saturday

(Mall of Asia Arena)

8:30 a.m. – Letran vs EAC (jrs/srs)

2:30 p.m. – UPHSD vs AU (srs/jrs)

MANILA, Philippines — Jose Rizal University was never given a chance in NCAA Season 101 after finishing 10th and dead last a season ago and undergoing a major revamp that saw it changing its former coach early in the year.

But armed with sheer guts and perseverance, the Bombers turned it around and slew the beast in the San Beda Lions, 67-66, on Friday to jump back into contention at the Mall of Asia Arena.

It was the second win for JRU in three starts, with its first coming at the expense of another big fish in Letran, 73-69, last week.

Allan Laurenaria came out of nowhere and delivered the game-winning shot in the dying seconds that hammered in the dagger straight into the hearts of the Lions, who absorbed their first defeat after two wins in a row.

“This was a huge win for us because it gave us confidence,” said JRU’s new mentor Nani Epondulan, who spent college ball on this same team he’s now coaching. “We’re small but our hearts are big,” he added.

The result also forged a three-way logjam atop Group B among JRU, San Beda and College of St. Benilde.

It was a heartbreaking defeat for San Beda, which practically lost two important points in the clutch — the first when John Sajonia’s triple was reduced to a long-two after he was seen on a video replays stepping on the three-point line and the other when rookie Agjanti Miller’s second made foul shot was nullified due to lane violation.

Earlier, San Sebastian claimed its first win in three outings by outgunning Lyceum of the Philippines, 100-94.

The Pirates fell to 0-3.

The scores:

First Game

SSC-R 100 – Cuajao 25, Ricio 25, Dela Rama 15, Castor 12, Felebrico 8, Lumanag 6, Gabat 6, Nepacena 3, Velasco 0, Cabilla 0, Dimaunahan 0, Are 0.

LPU 94 – Barba 32, Moralejo 19, Villegas 15, Versoza 6, Daileg 6, Peñafiel 6, Abregana 6, Montaño 2, Casiño 2, Aurige 0, Aviles 0, Pallingayan 0, Dural 0, Gordon 0.

Quarterscores: 19-27; 41-50; 62-63; 75-75; 87-87 (OT); 100-94 (2OT)

Second Game

JRU 67 – Salvador 15, Lozano 13, Panapanaan 9, Argente 8, Garupil 7, Laurenaria 6, Herrera 5, Sarmiento 3, Castillo 1, Benitez 0, Peñaverde 0, Duque 0.

San Beda 66 – Sajonia 16, Miller 13, Lina 13, Etulle 8, Gonzales 6, Reyes 4, Celzo 2, Culdora 2, Puno 2, Estacio 0, Bonzalida 0, Calimag 0, Jalbuena 0, Vailoces 0, Songcuya 0.

Quarterscores: 19-16; 37-33; 55-46; 67-66