By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Mart James Barrera had another solid offensive game as the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers prevailed over the Arellano University Chiefs, 92-89, in the NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Wednesday, September 25.

The former Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts standout finished with 14 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals as the Heavy Bombers improved to a 2-4 record.

Marvin Raymundo led the Heavy Bombers with 21 points and seven rebounds, while Shawn Argente and Joshua Guiab added 20 and 18 points, respectively.

The Heavy Bombers leaned on conversions by Guiab and Argente in the fourth quarter as they created separation from the Chiefs for an 87-78 advantage.

The Chiefs still managed to make a run in the final minutes of the contest, but the closest they came was at three points, 89-92, after Renzo Abiera missed on a game-tying three-point attempt.

“Usually, last year, kapag endgame [at dikitan ang laro], nawawala sila eh, they are new to the role, but pina-realize ko sa kanila na malaki ang tiwala ko sa kanila,” JRU head coach Louie Gonzales said.

Jeadan Ongotan top-scored for the Chiefs with 20 points, six assists and five rebounds, while Lorenz Capulong and Basti Valencia tallied 15 apiece.

They dropped to a 1-5 mark.

Meanwhile, the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights (4-2) squandered an early double-digit lead before escaping with a 75-73 triumph over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals (2-4).

Kevin Santos led the Knights with 17 points, six blocks and five rebounds, Vince Cuajao added 14 markers, while Johnsherick Estrada and Paolo Javillonar had 11 and 10, respectively./ASC, WDJ