JRU win over Arellano U under protest

MANILA, Philippines - Gio Lasquety hit two free throws in the last 1.2 seconds as Jose Rizal University edged Arellano U  in a protest-marred 114-112 double overtime victory yesterday in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Thinking they’re trailing the Bombers, 112-113, the Chiefs’ Jio Jalalon fouled Lasquety after sinking a three pointer. It turned out there was no need for a duty foul because the score, in  fact, was 112-all. Lasquety sank both charities to secure the win at 114-112.

The problem arose when Tey Teodoro sank a triple, which in fact was only a two-pointer because the player stepped on the line. However,  game officials didn’t immediately adjust the score to 112-109  from 113-109. They had the score adjusted after the next inbound afer Jalalon made the triple and had already made the foul with barely 1.2 seconds left.

The Arellano Chiefs argued they could not have made the foul if the game was tied with time running out.

“It was a massive win for us,” said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses after the Bombers tied the Chiefs at fourth at 6-4.

But Arellano U had already signed the score sheet protesting the result of the game, according to its board representative Peter Cayco.

“The game is under protest, we already signed the scorebook,” said Cayco.

Paolo Pontejos came through with a career-high 32 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals while Cameroonian Abdoul Poutouochi had a double-double with 21 points and 17 rebounds and Teodoro added 16 and five assists for the Bombers.

In the other game, Mapua survived Perpetual Help’s fightback to escape with a 70-65 win and improved to 5-5..

The scores:

First Game (Srs)

JRU 114 – Pontejos 32, Poutouochi 21, Teodoro 16, Astilla 10, Dela Paz 10, Cruz 9, Lasquety 8, Dela Virgen 3, Grospe 2, Sanchez 2, Abdulwahab 1, Estrella 0.

AU 112 – Jalalon 36, Holts 21, Nicholls 20, Enriquez 10, Bangga 9, Cadavis 6, Meca 5, Salado 3, Ortega 2, Capara 0, Gumaru 0.

Quarterscores: 19-21, 40-35, 66-63, 87-87 (Reg.), 98-98 (OT1), 114-112 (OT2)

Second Game (Srs)

MIT 70 – Oraeme 19, Biteng 12, Serrano 11, Nieles 9, Menina 9, Brana 4, Que 4, Aguirre 2, Dela Rosa 0, Raflores 0.

UPHSD 65 – Akhuetie 18, Thompson 14, Dangangon 11, Dizon 5, Eze 4, Oliveria 4, Sadiwa 3, Bantayan 2, Coronel 2, Gallardo 2, Cabiltes 0, Elopre 0, Tamayo 0, Ylagan 0.

Quarterscores: 20-13, 46-29, 59-42, 70-65