Bombers strafe Altas, wrest lead

Jose Rizal University rode high on the exploits of Ariel Capus in the fourth quarter as it rallied to beat University of Perpetual Help of Rizal, 80-73, and grab the solo lead in the 77th NCAA basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum yesterday.

Capus sizzled with 26 points, including clutch baskets in the payoff period, as the Heavy Bombers overcame a 52-60 deficit at the end of the third quarter in notching their third straight win.

The Altas suffered their second loss in three starts.

Earlier, Mapua Tech came out of shell and nailed its first win in the at the expense of San Sebastian, 70-60.

Veteran mainstay Edsel Feliciano scored a game-high 22 points while rookie Jeffrey Martin pumped in 19 points as the Cardinals outlasted the Stags, scoring their first win after two straight defeats.

Feliciano and Martin together with Steve Marucot, who had 13, fuelled decisive runs by the Cardinals in the fourth quarter on the way to handing the Stags their second loss against a lone win.

"We’re still adjusting our game after our first two losses. We made some adjustments before this game and I’m happy the boys played according to our plan," said Mapua coach Horacio Lim.

The San Sebastian Staglets beat the MIT Red Robins, 72-69, in an overtime thriller for their third straight win while the JRC Light Bombers routed their UPHR counterparts, 87-51, for their first win in the juniors competition. – Joey Villar