Bombers stun Lions, crash into NCAA Final Four

MANILA, Philippines – Jose Rizal drew strength from clutch shooting by Jaypee Asuncsion and Bernabe Teodoro as it shocked a heavily favored San Beda side with a vengeful 74-65 victory Saturday to jump back to Final Four contention in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Asuncion led all scorers with 19 points while Teodoro scattered 15 of his own as the two helped the Bombers weather repeated comebacks by the Lions and preserve their 10th win against six defeats that sent the latter back inside the magic four.

Held to just two points apiece in a painful 49-57 defeat to San Beda in the league opener on June 28 at the MOA Arena, Asuncion and Teodoro got their redemption and the Bombers their revenge as they stayed in the hunt in the Final Four race that is getting interesting as the elimination round approaches the end.

"Just want to help the team and made up for my disappearance in our first loss to them (San Beda)," said Asuncion, a transferee from Perpetual Help, in Filipino.

"I'm just determined to help the team win," Teodoro, for his part, said.

San Beda, in contrast, dropped its second straight game after also succumbing to Perpetual Help in a protest-marred 75-76 decision Monday. The NCAA Management Committee later turned down the protest and preserved the Altas' win.

The Lions, who fell to 13-4, remained on top but failed to clinch the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.

San Beda could relinquish the solo lead if it loses to Arellano U, currently at second with a 12-4 record, on Oct. 4.

After a slow start, Nigerian behemoth Ola Adeogun went on attack mode and willed San Beda back into the game.

The Lions eventually seized a 45-41 lead early in the third period before Asuncion and Bernabe took charge and sparked a series of runs that sent the Bombers erect their biggest lead of the game at 68-50 midway in the fourth canto.

"It's a combination of defense and our patience in offense and good shot selection," said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses.

Philip Paniamogan chipped in 11 points but focused all his energy in containing Baser Amer, whom he held to just six points.

In juniors' action, the Cubs walloped the Light Bombers, 84-67, to stay at the helm with a 14-3 card.

San Beda exacted revenge on Jose Rizal, which pulled the rug from the former, 76-74, on June 29.

The Red Robins, for their part, smashed the Junior Chiefs, 96-75, to stay close to the Cubs with a 12-3 mark.

The scores:

Jose Rizal (74) – Asuncion 19, Teodoro 15, Paniamogan 11, AbdulWahab 10, Mabulac 9, Benavides 5, Lasquety 3, Sanchez 2, Salaveria 0, Grospe 0.

San Beda (65) – Adeogun 18, Koga 9, Mendoza 9, Dela Cruz 8, Amer 6, Sara 5, Pascual 4, Tongco 4, Cabanag 2, A. Semerad 0, D. Semerad 0.

Quarterscores: 16-15, 33-26, 51-47, 74-65.