Bombers survive Blazers in OT 73-71

MANILA, Philippines -- Jose Rizal University endured a hard-fighting Saint Benilde College to pull off a thrilling 73-71 overtime victory in the 89th season of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan Thursday.

Paolo Pontejos and Phil Paniamogan sizzled for 17 points each to lead the Heavy Bombers’ charge and finish as the only players to score in double figures for the Kalentong-based squad.

JRU got off to a hot start in overtime, taking a 69-63 lead courtesy of an 8-2 run capped by a miraculous save from Pontejos that led to a lay-in at the 3:01 mark.

The Blazers’ Paolo Taha and Mark Romero combined for their own 8-2 run to tie the game 71-all with 28.6 ticks left.

In the ensuing possession, Michael Mabulac missed a crucial jumper but quickly redeemed himself as he tapped the ball away from Taha. The rock then went to Jordan Dela Paz, who was subsequently fouled and split his free throws to give the Bombers a 72-71 lead.

Robert Bartolo made a costly turnover when he passed the ball at the length of the court out of the bounds, setting up Pontejos for another free throw visit. The San Beda transferee also split his charities for the final count.

Luis Sinco had the chance to win game when he launched an off-the-backboard triple that barely missed the mark as time expired.

"We were up 12 in the fourth quarter, we played relaxed. Nakahabol sila because of our errors. Our team should embrace the system. It's our defense that will win us games," said JRU coach Vergel Meneses.

Romero led the Blazers with 15 markers while Jose Saavedra and Cinco added 15 and 11 points, respectively, for the winless Blazers (0-3).

The second half became a game of runs, and the Blazers riled up a 9-0 zip in the middle of the third period capped by Bartolo’s two free throws to give them a 46-41 margin at the 3:06 mark.

But JRU responded in a huge way, stringing together a 20-1 blast to bridge the close of the third quarter and the start of the fourth canto. The diminutive Pontejos had 10 points in the explosive run that gave the Bombers their biggest lead, 61-47, with 7:14 left.

But the Blazers countered with a sizzling 14-0 blast to tie the game 61-all courtesy of Bartolo’s 3-point play conversion after an offensive rebound with 39.8 ticks left.

The regulation period’s endgame featured a wild sequence when Michael Mabulac and Pontejos both had the opportunity to win the game. But both Bombers threw out ill-advised air balled attempts as the shot clock expired.

Curiously, the game was not stopped after the shot clock violation, which led to a Sinco jumper at the top of the key. The shot, however, was off the mark and the game went into overtime.

Both teams figured in a tightly contested first half, but JRU took a slim 35-33 advantage led by Paniamogan’s 17 points, including 10 in the second quarter.

Sinco led the Blazers with 11 points in a nip-and-tuck first half affair featuring a fast-paced tempo that led to careless turnovers by both teams.