Bombers, Cubs, Jr Titans pull through

MANILA, Philippines - The Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, the San Beda Red Cubs and the AMA Junior Titans pulled off convincing victories over the weekend to keep their quarterfinal and semifinal bids alive in the 13th Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup basketball tournament at the Far Eastern University gymnasium in Morayta, Manila.

The Heavy Bombers, led by Jeb Mendoza with 30 points, repulsed the Arellano University Chiefs, 87-82, to post their third win in six games, and stay on course for a quarterfinal slot in Group A of the senior division.

It was the second consecutive triumph for JRU, which earlier pulled off a 61-54 beating of the Gilas Pilipinas under-16 national youth team, which drew 10 points from Jason Credo.

Kerby Escoto drilled in 17 points as coach Mark Herrera’s  Junior Titans demolished St. Michael-Laguna, 86-52, to complete an eight-game sweep and earn outright semis berth entry in Group A.

Lance Jomalesa banged in 21 points for the Red Cubs, who smothered UNO High School, 114-47, to improve their slate to 5-2 in Group A of the junior action and remain in contention for the semis, according to commissioner Robert de la Rosa.

Jomalesa earlier scored 12 points in leading the Red Cubs to a 67-66 win over St. Michael.

In other games, Joed Canapate struck from underneath in the last five seconds, as he carried St. Michael of Laguna to its first win in four games by beating Mary the Queen College, 67-66.

The other week, Robert Bolick topscored for 21 points for early quarterfinalist San Beda-A, which won over St. Michael-Laguna, 69-33, while San Beda-B turned back the San Sebastian Staglets, 71-53, in the senior division.