Matute helps JRU in win over Lyceum

STREAKY SHOOTER Nate Matute came out with guns ablazing as he helped the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers take down the Lyceum University Pirates, 74-68, in the 87th NCAA basketball tournament yesterday at the Arena in San Juan City.

Matute came away with 23 points, including a crucial trifecta with just 2:15 left in the game that virtually sealed the deal in JRU’s favor.

The win had the Heavy Bombers improving their mark to 3-5 (won-loss), while dropping the Pirates to 4-5. The Pirates, though, stayed at solo third going into the second round next week.

Jeckster Apinan and Alex Almario added 13 and seven points for the Heavy Bombers, who finally got a win after losing three straight. They are now tied for fifth with the College of St. Benilde Blazers and the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals.

The 5-foot-11 Matute, who is coming off a groin injury, scored five of his 11 three point attempts. His trey from left corner quelled a short-lived Pirates rally, shattered a 48-all deadlock, and set off a 10-2 blast that gave JRU a 58-50 spread.

But the Pirates, behind Floricel Guevarra and Chris Cayabyab, who scored 21 points each, responded with an 8-0 run to tie the match for the final time at 58-all.

Matute strung up two triples in the last 5:30 to put JRU back on top, 64-60, before scoring the three-pointer that all but decided the victory. Correspondent Jonas Panerio