Heavy Bombers books Final Four ticket; Stags avoided almost-upset from the hands of Perpetual

Cameroonian John Njei came through with his best effort of the season thus far as he willed Jose Rizal to a 67-64 edging of Arellano U yesterday to clinch a Final Four berth in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The six-foot Njei finished with a team-high 13 points he spiked with two assists, two rebounds, two steals, two blocks and the defense that prevented Arellano U’s Adrian Celada from dealing more damage.

“I told him (Njei) if he wants to regain his starting spot he must prove to me deserves it,” said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses. “I hope he continues to play like the way he did today (yesterday).”

Celada unleashed his season-high 30 points including 24 in the second half when he kept the Chiefs afloat amid the offensive juggernaut unloaded by the Bombers.

The sweet-shooting, athletic Celada actually buried five triples—all in the last two quarters—but couldn’t hit the last one against Njei before the endgame buzzer sounded that would have knotted the count and send the game into overtime.

The Bombers thus sealed their ninth win in 12 outings that ensured them a place in the Final Four alongside the unbeaten San Beda Lions and the San Sebastian Stags.

Meneses said their next target is the twice-to-beat advantage.

“Our initial goal is to make it to the Final Four. Now we’re targeting to at least catch up with San Sebastian at No. 2 for the twice-to-beat advantage,” he said.

The Chiefs fell to their eighth setback against four wins but remained in contention if they could sweep their remaining four games and hope the idle Mapua Cardinals (7-4) lose at least four of their last five outings.

In juniors’ action, San Sebastian edged a tough Perpetual Help side, 60-55, to keep its place inside the magic four with a 7-4 (win-loss) slate.

Jose Rizal, for its part, rallied to beat Arellano U, 91-83, in a fight-marred contest that saw the ejection of three players.

Jose Rizal’s Ivan Barranco was tossed out in the third quarter after he poked the eye of Arellano U’s Franco Villarosa, who finished with a team high 25 points.

Barranco’s teammate Daniel Tamayo followed suit for fighting with Arellano U’s Brando Guibone, who was also tossed out midway in the final canto.

Chris dela Paz wound up leading all scorers with 33 points while Jerome Garcia and Kevin Oliveria scattered 25 and 16 points, respectively to seal the Light Bombers their sixth win against five setbacks.

In the other game, San Sebastian came back from 10 points down as it edged a game Perpetual Help, 72-63, to inch closer to leader San Beda (11-0) with an 11th win in 12 matches.

Calvin Abueva came through with an MVP-like performance with 14 points, 19 rebounds, three blocks and two assists while John Raymundo had 14 points, six assists and four boards to help the cause.

The Altas, who were led by Justine Alano’s 15 points, fell to their 11th setback in row.

The Scores:
Jose Rizal 67- Njei 13, Matute 10, Lopez 10, Apinan 8, Hayes 6, Almario 4, Etame 4, Montemayor 4, Kabigting 4, Bulangis 4
Arellano U 64- Celada 30, Lapuz 12, Tayongtong 11, del Rosario 4, Zulueta 3, Casino 2, Ciriacruz 2, Caperal 0, Anquilo 0
Quarterscores: 16-16; 32-29; 59-48; 67-64


San Sebastian 72- Abueva 14, Raymundo 14, Sangalang 10, Bulawan 9, Gorospe 8, Semira 7, Maconocido 5, del Rio 3, Gatchalian 2, dela Cruz 0
Perpetual Help 63- Alano 15, Ynion 10, Arboleda 10, Danganan 10, Vidal 6, Allen 6, Elopre 5, Sumera 1, Kintanar 0, Asuncion 0, Sison 0
Quarterscores: 11-14; 25-33; 46-47; 72-63


NCAA.org