Jose Rizal University barged into the win column in a dramatic fashion, dousing the red-hot College of St. Benilde, 74-68, in the NCAA Season 97 on Tuesday, April 12 at the La Salle Green Hills Gym.
The Heavy Bombers ended the series of heartbreaks as they outlasted the Blazers in the payoff period to complete the upset for their first win in six games.
JL Delos Santos led the way for JRU with 19 points and 11 rebounds while Jason Celis provided support with 17 markers.
It was a nip-and-tuck affair in the first three quarter with the Blazers holding on to a precarious one-point lead 50-49 heading into the final frame.
Delos Santos and Marwin Dionisio then conspired for a 6-0 spurt to give the Heavy Bombers the lead. The Blazers battled back and cut the lead down to just two, 65-63, but Hommer Macatangay scored on a tough reverse before Celis scored in transition to rebuild a six-point cushion, 69-63 with 2:10 left in the game.
The Blazers tried climb their way back in the final two minutes but timely hits from Dionisio and Evan Agbong kept them at bay until the final buzzer.
Will Gozum paced Benilde with 17 points and 10 rebounds but has to sit out the final quarter due a foot injury. He was backstopped by AJ Benson who had 13 while Robi Nayve, a huge factor in Benilde’s four straight wins, struggled with just 12 points on 3-of-10 clip from the field.