NCAA 87: JRU moves ahead in race for last Final 4 berth

by GMA news

Jose Rizal University downed University of Perpetual Help, 64-57, in overtime for its fourth straight win in the 87th NCAA men's basketball tournament on Thursday at The Arena in San Juan City.

The win avenged the Heavy Bombers' 79-77 triple overtime loss to the Altas in the first round as they improved to a 7-9 win-loss card to move ahead of Mapua and Lyceum in the race for the last Final Four ticket.

The Cardinals and the Pirates share fifth to sixth spots with similar 6-9 slates.

Earl Thompson's two free throws and George Allen's undergoal stab tied the count at 52-all in the final seconds of the contest.

The Altas had the chance to win the game in regulation but failed to launch a shot as time expired.

Rookie Byron Villarias stepped up for JRU in overtime hitting a three-pointer to shatter a 54-all deadlock with two minutes and 31 seconds left in the game.

John Lopez's back-to-back baskets sealed the win for the Heavy Bombers for a 61-54 spread with still a minute left in the clock.

"As soon as Byron buried that three-pointer, I knew that we're going to win. That is how Perpetual defeated us in the first round, on (Jet) Vidal's shot," said JRU coach Vergel Meneses.

Villarias and Raycon Kabigting scored 11 each for JRU while Lopez added 10 points.

Thompson finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds for Perpetual Help. — JVP, GMA News