Rising JRU clips Mapua for 4th straight win

MANILA -- Slowly but surely, Jose Rizal University (JRU) is morphing from a dark horse into a definite contender in the NCAA 93 Men’s Basketball Tournament.

The Heavy Bombers used a big-time second half to clip the wings of Mapua University, 68-59, and claim their fourth consecutive victory on Tuesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

Coming from a slow start, JRU is now sitting pretty at solo third. Josh Albeda, ABS-CBN Sports

Starting the season at 2-3, Vergel Meneses’ wards are now flying high at 6-3 – good for solo third at the finish of the first round. “A win is a win, but the way we played, I’m not happy with it. They thought they can easily win against Mapua and Mapua gave them a hard time,” the head coach said.

JRU was put to the test this one, however, even though the Cardinals were missing the services of main man Andoy Estrella, starting forward Almel Orquina, and reserve big man Sean Magboo.

The Heavy Bombers only had a two-point edge, 44-42, until they went on a 20-3 tear bridging the third and fourth periods. Capping off what proved to be the pivotal push was a seldom seen triple from big man Ervin Grospe.

Author: Norman Lee Benjamin Riego, ABS-CBN Sports
Full Article: http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/08/29/17/ncaa-rising-jru-clips-mapua-for-4th-straight-win