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By Frank Calapre Correspondent
JAMES Sena scored 16 points in
the first half to lift Jose Rizal University past Ma-pua Institute
of Technology, 69-61, Wednesday in the 83rd National Collegiate
Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in
San Juan.
The 6-foot-4 Sena, a sophomore
from La Union, got the needed help from Marc Cagoco and Ildefonso
Bulangis as the Heavy Bombers notched their fourth win in seven
outings to gain solo third behind co-leaders Letran and San Beda
College, which are toting identical 6-1 slates.
Coach Ariel Vanguardia expressed
elation over the team’s first three straight wins in almost a
decade in the league.
For winning three consecutive
games, the Heavy Bombers matched their 4-10 record last season, a
fate that Vanguardia said is just a step toward their quest of
entering the Final Four. Jose Rizal last won the men’s crown
in 1972.
“This is our first three
straight victories after so many years. I hope we can sustain our
intensity to be able to enter the Final Four. I am very confident,
we can make it this time,” said Vanguardia.
Sena made three straight baskets
to give the Bombers a 17-13 advantage in the first quarter.
“I gave credit to Sena and
Bulangis, who both did a good job in our game today,” said
Vanguardia, who lamented the absence of starting guard Dan Carlo
Lituania and star forward Jayson Nocom, who remained confined at the
Polymedic Hospital in Mandaluyong due to food poisoning last
Monday.
“I hope the two will be back on
Friday. I really need them in our game against St. Benilde,”
stressed Vanguardia, who is also assistant coach of Talk ’N Text
in the PBA.
Sena finished with 16 points, 16
rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block and 1 steal while Mark Cagoco and Marvin
Hayes contributed 13 points each. John Wilson had 12 points,
including 2 triples.
Sean Co had 15 points for Mapua,
which absorbed its six loss in eight games. Rodel Raneses and Kelvin
de la Peña chipped in 12 points apiece.
Scores:
Jose Rizal 69–Sena 16, Cagoco
13, Hayes 13, Wilson 12, Agas 5, Pradas 4, Se 3, Bulangis 3,
Montemayor 0, Cunanan 0
Mapua 61–Co 15, Raneses 12, De
la Pena 12, Pascual 6, Del Rosario 6, Acosta 6, Banal 4, Sumalinog
0, Palomique 0
Quarters: 17-13; 33-26; 55-43;
69-61
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