THE JOSE RIZAL University (JRU) Heavy Bombers averted certain disaster as they blew a 20-point lead but recovered in time behind the late-game heroics of Philip Paniamogan to eke out an 83-72 win over the Mapua Cardinals in Season 89 of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Arena in San Juan.
Paniamogan had 13 of his 24 points in the fourth period to rescue the Heavy Bombers, who found themselves down, 60-62, after leading 41-21, in the second period.
The Cardinals, which went winless in the Mayor Mike Rama Collegiate Invitational several weeks ago, climbed back into the game and even took the lead behind back-to-back three-pointers from wingman Kenneth Ighalo.
But luckily for JRU, Paniamogan caught fire and drilled in four trifectas that blew the wind out from the Cardinals’ sails. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio