Heavy Bombers sustain big
run, bring down Cardinals

BY CHRISTINE MONCADA

PROVING its shock victory over defending champion San Beda College last Wednesday was no fluke, Jose Rizal University worked like a well-oiled machine yesterday and routed Mapua 68-52 in the 84th NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Astrodome.

Veteran big man JR Sena had with 14 points and seven rebounds as the Heavy Bombers rolled to their fourth consecutive win after dropping their first two assignments.

Marvin Hayes also shone with 11 points on top of nine boards while John Wilson and Marc Cagoco combined for 21 points.

With the win, the Heavy Bombers moved into a tie with three-peat seeking San Beda at 4-2. JRU stunned San Beda 79-74 last Wednesday.

"Two things can happen after our big win (against San Beda). It's either emotionally drained kami o ma-fired up ang mga bata. Good thing dinala nila ang momentum ng magandang laro namin the last time out," said JRU coach Ariel Vanguardia.

In the other seniors' game, the San Sebastian Stags used a balanced attack to trounce the College of St. Benilde Blazers 65-48.

Jim Viray finished with 15 points and Raymund Maconocido added 13 points while Jason Ballesteros and Anthony Del Rio combined for 14 as the Stags tied their victims for fifth place with a 3-4 record. Jeff Morial paced the Blazers with a game-high 22 markers.

The Cardinals dropped to third as they suffered their third loss in seven games. The Intramuros-based dribblers also suffered a 60-67 defeat to Letran last Wednesday.

Neil Pascual paced the Cardinals with 13 points and 14 rebounds but it was not enough to stop the streaking Bombers, who last won a championship way back in 1972.

Hayes and Wilson waxed hot in the second half as JRU posted its biggest lead at 61-39 with 5:43 remaining.

In the juniors division, Arvie Brigas had 27 points as titleholder San Sebastian Staglets completed a first round sweep with a 71-65 win over CSB-La Salle Greenhills.