Jose Rizal University finally solved its endgame woes, pulling off a 97-74 victory over host Emilio Aguinaldo College to barge into the win column of NCAA Season 98 on Saturday.
JRU, which lost twice in a row to open the season, improved to 1-2 while EAC remained winless at 0-3.
Agem Miranda and William Sy both scored 20 points to lead the Heavy Bombers. Miranda also tallied six rebounds, five assists, and three steals. JL Delos Santos, meanwhile, chipped in with 17 points, five rebounds, four assists, and four steals in the win.
Like in the previous game, JRU waxed hot on offense early with three Heavy Bombers already in double-digit mark at the half, led by Miranda, who poured in 15 points. That included the close-out triple, as JRU carried a 52-41 cushion into the break.
Delos Santos, who was scoreless in their 101-97 loss to Letran, had 13 while Sy chipped in 13 as JRU led all the way in the first two quarters.
The Heavy Bombers then turned that halftime lead to a sizable 71-51 cushion as JRU held EAC to just 10 points in the third period. The Generals were also scoreless until the 5:38 mark of the period.
JRU never looked back since then with skipper Ry Dela Rosa burying a triple that gave them an 87-60 lead with 4:55 left to virtually seal the win.
Nat Cosejo led EAC with 27 points while Ralph Robin added 18. Allen Liwag had a double-double with 15 points and 17 rebounds.
JRU will look to make it two consecutive wins when it faces Arellano University on Wednesday. EAC, meanwhile, faces Lyceum of the Philippines University on Tuesday.
The scores:
JRU 97 - Miranda 20, Sy 20, Delos Santos 17, Amores 11, Guiab 9, Celis 7, Dionisio 5, Dela Rosa 3, Villarin 3, Arenal 2, Gonzales 0, Medina 0.
EAC 74 - Cosejo 27, Robin 18, Liwag 15, Luciano 4, Gurtiza 4, Balowa 2, QUinal 2, Tolentino 2, Umpad 0, Bajon 0, Maguliano 0, Bacud 0, Dominguez 0, Ad. Doria 0, Cosa 0.
Quarters: 25-22, 52-41, 71-51, 97-74.
—JMB, GMA News
