JRU trips Letran, makes Final Four

MANILA, Philippines - Seldom-used John Lopez stepped up to fire a career-high 19 points as Jose Rizal University waylaid a listless Letran side, 74-66, yesterday to join San Sebastian and San Beda in the Final Four in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Lopez, the former Light Bomber skipper who comes in for starters James Sena and Marvin Hayes, scattered 11 points in the opening quarter as he helped set the tone for the surprising rout.

John Wilson, the leading MVP candidate, added 16 points for the Bombers, who rolled to their third straight Final Four stint with a 12-2 (win-loss) record.

“He (Lopez) really played well and it really helped us,” said Jose Rizal coach Ariel Vanguardia of Lopez, who also scored 10 points in their 88-70 romp over Arellano U to earn a spot in JRU’s starting unit.

The Knights, who dragged the Bombers in a close game before dropping a 66-69 setback in the first round, fell to 10-5, enabling the Chiefs, with a 7-7 mark, to stay alive in the race for the fourth and last Final Four berth.

Earlier, Mapua rode on Jason Pascual’s solid game as it trounced Perpetual Help, 62-56, to end a 10-game losing skid.

Pascual finished with a team-high 15 points, including key jumper down the stretch that sealed the Cardinals their second win in 14 games while dealing the Altas their 11th loss against three wins.

The win also avenged Mapua’s 71-72 loss to Perpetual Help in their first meeting.

“It was a relief that we finally won, we’re happy we did because it has been a long time since we last won,” said Mapua coach Chito Victolero.

In juniors’ action, Letran downed Jose Rizal, 114-93, for its 15th straight win as it moved a win away from clinching a twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four.