Jose Rizal University pummeled a lethargic Letran side, 87-71, to end the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament with a bang at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City Wednesday, Nov. 23.
The Heavy Bombers dictated the pace throughout with Ry Dela Rosa and Marwin Dionisio at the forefront of their charge to finish the season tied with Mapua, Perpetual Help and Arellano with a 7-11 mark.
Letran, meanwhile, finished the eliminations with a 13-5 slate for second, setting them up a Final Four date with third-ranked Lyceum.
The Knights enjoy a twice-to-beat semis advantage.
The other semis pairing pit top-seeded College of St. Benilde, which also has a twice-to-beat edge, against fourth-ranked San Beda.
Dela Rosa sizzled behind the arc with a 6-of-14 clip to finish with 22 points for the Heavy Bombers, while Dionisio contributed 16 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Three other players also scored in twin figures for JRU with Joshua Guiab posting 14 points, and John Delos Santos and Agen Miranda chipping in 11 points apiece.
Guiab also hauled eight boards and dished off four steals even as Delos Santos had four boards and nine assists.
The Heavy Bombers also banked on Letran’s 17 woeful turnovers and converted it to 18 points and moved the ball well with 22 assists.
King Caralipio topscored for the Knights with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Brent Paraiso and Fran Yu posted 12 and 10 points, respectively.
The Scores:
JRU 87 – Dela Rosa 22, Dionisio 16, Guiab 14, Delos Santos 11, Miranda 11, Medina 7, Arenal 2, Celis 2, Abaoag 2, De Jesus 0, Tan 0.
LETRAN 71 – Caralipio 15, Paraiso 12, Yu 10, Sangalang 7, Monje 7, Tolentino 7, Javillonar 5, Ariar 4, Santos 4, Reyson 0, Olivario 0, Guarino 0, Miclat 0, Lantaya 0, Bautista 0.
Quarters: 21-15, 48-38, 66-52, 87-71.