Mabulac powers Bombers over Generals in career game

Games Saturday

(The Arena, San Juan)

12 p.m. – San Beda vs St. Benilde (jrs)

2:30 p.m. – San Beda vs St. Benilde (jrs)

MANILA, Philippines – Michael Mabulac came through with his best game of season as he helped power Jose Rizal to a 73-54 rout of Noube Happi-less Emilio Aguinaldo College and into a share of third place with Perpetual Help and College of St. Benilde in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City Friday.

The bull-strong Mabulac led his team with 18 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and two blocks to help send the Bombers back to No. 3 alongside the idle Altas and Blazers with identical 7-4 (win-loss) records.

"Although we're winning, I felt like Michael is the missing link in the first round. I'm a bit satisfied he finally came out of his slump," said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses.

Jaycee Asuncion, Philip Paniamogan and Gio Lasquety provided the ample backup by firing 14, 12 and 10 points, respectively.

But Paniamogan, who averages 18.8 points a game – second only to Perpetual Help's Juneric Baloria's 20.45 points – played a little tight, perhaps still heartbroken after he wound up undrafted in last weekend's PBA rookie draft, and missed 11 of his 15 shots while turning the ball over four times.

Meneses though thinks it could be a blessing in disguise.

"I told him being the second highest scorer in the NCAA doesn't guarantee you a spot in the PBA. You have to be special to make it there, which means you have to do extra things like rebound, defend, shoot better and play smart," said Meneses, whose PBA career stretched to 14 seasons.

"It will also help if you can lead your team to a championship," he added.

It helped Jose Rizal a lot that the Generals missed the 6-7 Happi, who sat out his second straight game due to a back injury.

And Mabulac took advantage of it as he pounded his way through while collaring every rebound he could reach.

Meneses then challenged Mabulac for a repeat performance as they take on the Lyceum Pirates on Monday.

"EAC has no big men so it's not surprising he (Mabulac) came out with that game. Now we'll see how he fares against Lyceum, which has legitimate big men," said Meneses.

Jan Jamon and Jerald Serrano led EAC with 16 points apiece but they were easy picking in the absence of Happi.

The Generals fell to 3-8 (win-loss).

In juniors' action, the Light Bombers turned back the Brigadiers, 71-63, to jump to solo No. 3 with an 8-3 card.

Mark dela Virgen and Darious Estrella did everything by combining for 36 points, 24 boards, nine assists, three steals and four blocks while Andrei Dada had 15 points, five assists, four caroms and four steals to help seal it for the Kalentong-based dribblers.

The San Beda Cubs and the Letran Squires currently lead the way with 10-1 and 9-2 records, respectively.

The scores:

Jose Rizal 73 – Mabulac 18, Asuncion 14, Paniamogan 12, Lasquety 10, Abdul Wahab 9, Benavides 9, Salaveria 1, Astilla 0, Sanchez 0, Munez 0, Grospe 0, Teodoro 0

EAC 54 – Serrano 16, Jamon 16, Onwubere 9, Tayongtong 7, Saludo 4, Arquero 2, Aguilar 0, Santos 0, Mejos 0, General 0, Quilanita 0

Quarterscores: 24-7; 41-23; 59-45; 73-54