Wilson ignites JRU'S win: Bombers blast Blazers, catch Lions at second

MANILA, Philippines - John Wilson regained his shooting touch and fired 21 points to power Jose Rizal University to a 73-63 victory over St. Benilde yesterday for a share of second with San Beda in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Held to a season-low nine points in their 76-91 loss to San Sebastian last Monday, Wilson bounced back with another double-digit output, including three triples, as the Bombers posted their seventh win against a loss.

“He (Wilson) told me he was angry in our last game because he couldn’t get the calls even though he was being hammered by San Sebastian,” said Jose Rizal coach Ariel Vanguardia.

“He came out strong in this game because he wanted to make up for his last game,” he said.

Chuck Dalanon and Jeff Morial shot 13 points each for St. Benilde but the duo was held scoreless in a three-minute stretch late in the fourth quarter.

The Blazers thus closed out their first round campaign with a 4-5 (win-loss) card.

Earlier, Arellano U routed Perpetual Help, 85-70, to end a four-game skid for a 3-4 slate.

Giorgio Ciriacruz and Adrian Celada combined for 39 points as the Chiefs picked up their third win against four losses.

Ciriacruz went on to finish with a team-high 20 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two steals while Celada had 19 points, five rebounds, four assists, three shot blocks and a steal.

“I kept pushing the players to keep the faith because we’ve really been down after four straight losses,” said Arellano coach Junjie Ablan in Filipino.

In juniors’ action, Jose Rizal edged La Salle Greenhills, 98-96, to join San Beda in second with a 7-1 card.

Perpetual Help walloped Arellano U, 101-65, for its fourth win in eight games in the other high school match.

It was Perpetual Help’s sixth defeat against two wins.