Bombers get back in Final 4 race, rap Lions

MANILA, Philippines - Jaypee Asuncion and Bernabe Teodoro hit clutch baskets as Jose Rizal U outscored fancied San Beda in the fourth to hack out a 74-65 victory and bounce back into Final Four contention in the 90th men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Held to just two points apiece in their 49-57 setback in the first round, Asuncion and Teodoro combined for 34 points this time, the bulk coming in the fourth where the Bombers outpointed the Lions, 23-18, to preserve a shaky four-point edge in the third period and notch the crucial win.

It was JRU’s 10th victory against six defeats, tying idle Perpetual Help at fourth, just behind third-running St. Benilde (10-5) with two games left in the double-round elims.

“I just want to help the team and made up for my so-so showing in our loss to them (San Beda) in the first round,” said Asuncion, a transferee from Perpetual Help, in Filipino.

“I’m just as determined to help the team win,” Teodoro, for his part, said.

The Lions, who trailed majority of the way, tried to mount several rallies in the fourth but just couldn’t sustain their run while failing to neutralize Asuncion and Teodoro and the rest of the gutsy Bombers.

Despite dropping its second straight game, San Beda remained on top at 13-4 although it enabled Arellano U to close in at 12-4 heading to the final week of the elims. The setback also stalled the Lions from clinching the first twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four.

San Beda and Arellano dispute the semis bonus in a crucial match on Oct. 4.

After a slow start, Nigerian Ola Adeogun went on attack mode and San Beda surged ahead at 45-41 after playing catch-up in the first half.

But Asuncion and Bernabe took charge and sparked a series of runs that saw the Bombers race to their biggest lead at 68-50 midway in the fourth.

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