Jose Rizal University overcame a late meltdown with clutch plays down the stretch as it edged San Sebastian College, 21-20, on Sunday, May 26, to crown themselves NCAA Season 99 senior 3x3 basketball champion at the JRU Gym.

Vince Sarmiento hit a free throw that sealed the win and the crown for the host school, which swept all its six games—four in the group stages and a 21-12 win over San Beda in the semifinals.

It was actually the Bombers third title in the sport after ruling the Under-18 section twice before the pandemic.

And the Kalentong-based dribblers, whose other players were Joshua Guiab, Karl de Jesus and eventual season MVP Jonathan Medina, almost blew after their 12-9 lead disappeared and saw it turn into a 17-20 deficit following SSC shooter Ralph Gabat’s five-point eruption.

JRU fought back and shut down SSC-R the rest of the way while Guiab strung together three points in a row that paved the way for that title-clinching foul shot by Sarmiento.

College of St. Benilde walloped San Beda, 19-11, to seal third place.

In juniors’ action, University of Perpetual Help smashed CSB, 16-9, to reign supreme in the division.