JRU defeats EAC

THE JOSE RIZAL University (JRU) Heavy Bombers leaned on the steady hands of Phillip Paniamogan, Mike Mabulac and Marco Balagtas to turn back the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 85-79, in the 89th NCAA men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Arena in San Juan City.

JRU was ahead by just four, 63-59, going into the final canto when Balagtas made his fourth three-pointer of the game that was followed by back-to-back layups by Paniamogan that established a 75-63 lead.

Later, Mabulac helped the Bombers establish their biggest lead of the game at 14, 83-69.

EAC tried to scramble its way back into the game behind Igee King and Cedric Happi and came to as close as four, 79-83, with just 12 seconds remaining.

But JRU came up with the possession after a jumpball and Paolo Pontejos sealed the win with two freethrows with 1.3 seconds left.

Paniamogan continued his stellar showing this season with 23 points while Mabulac added 16 and nine boards.

Balagtas finished with 14 as JRU improved to 3-2 (win-loss). EAC, which fell to 1-4, got 20 points and 15 boards from Happi.   /Correspondent Jonas Panerio