By: Kim Yoshi Espiritu
Photo by: Kim Yoshi Espiritu /The LANCE
The Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers outplayed the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights in their awaited opening game, 69-73, earlier today at the Playtime Filoil Centre.
An underperforming Knights’ squad were stunned to meet a young Bombers crew with the same grit and intensity as theirs.
Jimboy Estrada tried to hold the fortress for Letran, posting 14 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals but it wasn’t enough as JRU continued dropping crucial points down the stretch.
Jonathan Manalili, meanwhile, did not get a joyous celebration to his debut game in the seniors rank after the loss. The rookie point guard managed 11 markers, six rebounds, and three assists with four turnovers
The Bomber’s offense seemed to click from all cylinders, mainly due to their intense physicality on the court. Sean Salvador’s quick facilitation and shooting punched a hole on the Knights’ game.
It was at the start of the third canto where Letran successively fired blanks on their attacking scheme, giving JRU a chance to beat them in their own game of hustle.
The former Knight, Jay Garupil, made a three that blew the lead to double-digits.
Letran’s dry spell was only lifted once Chad Gammad drained a pair of treys, however Sean Salvador quickly fired back with a three of his own to put the gap at 14, 41-55.
Manalili came back to life in the final five minutes of the game, draining a three point shot and a driving layup to trim the lead to just six, 59-65.
But Justin Lozano’s high arching three-pointer over Kevin Santos made an upset win clear.
Lozano topscored for JRU with 17 points, three boards, and three assists while Salvador chipped 10 markers and four dimes.
The Letran Knights are set to bounce-back versus their rivals San Beda Red Lions on Sunday, October 5.
QUARTER SCORES: 22-23, 35-40, 46-59, 69-73
CSJL (69) - Estrada 14, Gammad 11, Manalili 11, Roque 10, Santos 10, Tapenio 9, Omega 2, Rosilio 2, Baliling 0, Buensalida 0, Silorio 0, Yusi 0.
JRU (73) - Lozano 17, Salvador 10, Panapanaan 8, Peñaverde 7, Garupil 6, Herrera 6, Laurenaria 6, Benitez 5, Argente 4, Castillo 2, Sarmiento 2, Duque 0, Esguerra 0.