By MARK REY MONTEJO

Rookie Shawn Argente caught fire from deep as Jose Rizal University doused Perpetual's second half surge for a 71-65 win and its third straight victory in the NCAA Season 99 men's basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Saturday, Oct. 7.

Argente, who finished with 17 points, broke the seven-minute scoring drought for the Heavy Bombers by knocking down three of his five triples late in the third quarter.

Those long bombs were enough to tear down the Altas and frustrate Chrisitan Pagaran who came too close in pulling off a reversal in the waning minutes.

JRU went off to a good start, taking a 20-14 lead in the first frame before it grew to as high as 16 in the second period courtesy of a 7-0 spurt commandeered by Argente and Jonahan Medina.

The Altas, however, regained consciousness behind Jielo Razon and Carlo Ferreras who were instrumental in their 13-2 counter before the break which chopped the lead down to just five. 40-35.

As if it was not enough, Marcus Nitura and Arthur Roque led a 7-0 attack to open the second half and take a 42-40 lead for Perpetual.

Then came the hot hands of Argente, who pulled his team out of danger with his outside sniping and just in time before Nitura, Razon and Pagaran retaliated but went too late to stun the Bombers.

Joshua Guiab scored 12 points while Marvwin Dionisio and Medina had eight points each for JRU which hiked its record to 4-1 behind the unbeaten Lyceum (5-0).

Nitura had an all around effort of 19 points, five rebounds, three assists and three blocks while Razon added 14 in a losing cause for Perpetual (1-3). Pagaran and Roque had 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Meanwhile in the afternoon game, last year’s runner-up College of St. Benilde leaned on a strong finishing kick to eke out a 87-72 win over San Sebastian.

Miguel Oczon spearheaded the offense for the Blazers as he finished with 29 big points while Robi Nayve delivered crucial baskets down the stretch.