Bombers blast Cards for 3rd spot

MANILA, Philippines - Philip Paniamogan came out strong from a scoreless first half stint with a 26-point explosion as Jose Rizal University repulsed Mapua, 87-78, to gain solo third in the 90th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

Paniamogan shook off a lackluster start by firing 14 points in the third quarter as the Heavy Bombers turned a 38-41 first half deficit into a 68-63 lead. The top JRU gunner then sustained his form and scattered 15 points more in the last 10 minutes, powering the Kalentong-based squad to their sixth victory against three defeats.

“I just told him to be aggressive in the second half,” said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses of Paniamogan.

The win pulled JRU closer to league leading San Beda (7-1) and second running Arellano U (7-2) at the close of its first round elims campaign.

Carlos Isit came a rebound away from a triple-double performance with 21 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds but still failed to carry the Cardinals to victory. Mapua fell to 1-8.

Earlier, John Tayongtong took over in the fourth quarter as Emilio Aguinaldo downed San Sebastian, 71-56, to tie its victim at 3-6.

Tayongtong poured in eight of his topscoring 17 points in the last 10 minutes of play as the Generals broke loose from a tight contest en route to closing out their first round campaign with a win.

Tayongtong missed a potential game-winner from the long range against Jose Rizal U, 79-81, last Friday.

“For him to become a leader, he needs to have consistency. So far, he’s been doing that the past few games,” said EAC coach Gerry Esplana of Tayongtong, who played for Arellano U for one year before transferring to EAC.

Jan Jamon and Jack Arquero chipped in 16 and 12 points, respectively, while Cameroonian Noube Happi bucked a back injury and fired 13 points and snared eight rebounds for the Generals.

“He’s obviously bothered by the pain from his back,” said Esplana of the 6-7 Happi. “But I’m happy that he’s doing all he can to help the team despite the injury.”