Bombers nip pesky Knights in OT to enter NCAA win column

Jose Rizal University flubbed and floundered in regulation, but held steadier in overtime to outlast Letran, 67-62, and barge into the win column of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

The Heavy Bombers blew a five-point lead in regulation play, allowing the Knights to force an extra five-minute stretch.

But they made some crucial stops and hit important baskets from the charity stripes to reward coach Vergel Meneses his first coaching victory in the country’s oldest collegiate tournament.

"I'm happy to get that first win, but not that way. We should have won it in regulation," said Meneses, one of the members of Philippine Basketball Association’s 25 Greatest Players.

Joe Etame, the 6-foot-7 Cameroonian, finished with 15 points and 16 rebounds. He had four points in overtime while the Heavy Bombers held the Knights to just a field goal to secure their first win in two games.

Rookie Mark Lopez had 12 points and seven rebounds and Marvin Hayes contributed 10 points and 10 boards before fouling out in the final canto.

The Heavy Bombers appeared on their way to secure the win in the regulation period after JR Bulangis nailed a triple that pushed JRU to a 57-52 lead, 1:44 left.

But the Knights refused to throw in the white towel as JP Belencion drained a three-pointer to cut the lead to two. In the next play, Franz Dysam forced Heavy Bombers' Alex Almario to a jump ball and the Knights got the ball back because of possession arrow.

Belencion muffed a potential game-winning triple but Andre Pantin grabbed the rebound and scored on a putback with 3.2 seconds to force the overtime.

Kevin Alas, who missed Letran’s opening-day, losing match to San Sebastian, 53-59, showed up Monday with a cast on his right ankle. But he played in pain and finished with 18 points on a lethargic 5-for-17 shooting from the field.

Belencion had eight points, but made only 3-of-14 from the floor. Jam Cortes had eight points and 10 rebounds, but was on the bench during the latter part of the contest because of cramps.

JRU led 26-16 in the second quarter, but Letran rallied back and eventually tied the game at 29-all at the half.

The Knights, then, grabbed a 40-35 lead with 3:32 left in the third on a basket by Cortes. The team lost the lead two minutes later when a putback by Lopez gave the Heavy Bombers a 42-40 advantage.