Birthday boys, defense lead JRU to victory

MANILA, Philippines — Jose Rizal U rode on birthday celebrants Marwin Dionisio and Jonathan Medina as it repulsed Emilio Aguinaldo College, 77-64, yesterday and bolstered its NCAA Season 99 Final Four bid at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Dionisio and Medina, who turned 24 last Monday and 22 yesterday, fired 16 and 11 points, respectively, to help the Bombers claim their 10th victory in 16 outings and solidify their stronghold of the No. 4 spot.

“I told the boys huwag tayo maglaro para sa birthday boys, maglaro tayo para sa pamilya nila especially both may mga anak na pareho,” said JRU coach Louie Gonzales.

Defense also spelled the difference.

Tied at 63 with less than seven minutes to go, the Bombers unleashed a suffocating defense that held the Generals to just a point the rest of the way while erupting for 14.

And JRU had team captain JL delos Santos to thank, too after the pro-bound guard decided to just let the others finish their game even though he usually does each game.

“In that final minutes, we were able to get the best combination,” said Gonzales. “I asked JL if gusto ba niya pumasok kasi siya ang best decision maker ng team. Pero sabi niya maganda ginagawa nila and let them finish.”

“Buti na lang nag-rise sa challenge yung iba at binalik ang tiwala,” he added.

EAC fell to 8-8 and closer to elimination.

Earlier, Kobe Monje took charge in lifting Letran to a 67-58 win over Arellano U and a 2-14 record.