JRU nips Arellano to stop four-game slide in NCAA tilt

JECKSTER Apinan, Byron Villarias and Reycon Kabigting dealt the decisive blows that allowed the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers to snatch a 78-69 win over the Arellano University Chiefs in the 87th NCAA basketball tournament yesterday at the Arena in San Juan City.

The win stopped the bleeding for the Heavy Bombers, who halted a four game losing skein, while avenging their 86-77 loss to the same squad in the first round.

The Mandaluyong-based dribblers posted their fourth win in 13 games, good enough to keep them in the race for the no. 4 spot, while the Chiefs dropped to 4-10 (win-loss).

Apinan sank two free throws and Villarias drove to the basket in the final 4:59, sparking a 12-0 blitz for the Heavy Bombers, who broke away for good after the Chiefs last threatened, 57-60. Kabigting capped the run with a drive, and JRU was well on its way to the win with a comfortable 72-57 spread going into the last 3:02.

Apinan led JRU with 15 points and 10 rebounds, his highest in six games, and Villarias and Kabigting added 13 points each.

Adrian Celada had 19 points, Jerrald Lapuz and Rocky Acidre added 12 apiece for Arellano. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio