The JRU Heavy Bombers used a huge fourth-quarter surge to outlast the EAC Generals, 64-58, to earn their third win of NCAA Season 95, Thursday at the JRU Gym in Shaw Boulevard.
Freshman John Amores had 16 points and six rebounds but the spotlight belonged to fellow rookie Chester Jungco who had his best outing in his young career with 12 points and eight boards.
"Actually, this game, it's all about heart," said an emotional JRU coach Louie Gonzalez. "These are young players but what's big for them, they won't allow themselves to lose in their home court.
Jungco was the difference-maker to start the fourth period as the Heavy Bombers pulled off a decisive 16-2 run. They turned a seven-point deficit, 45-38, into a 54-47 lead midway through the final quarter. Jungco had eight points in the last ten minutes of play. The Generals threatened to steal the game in the waning moments led by Marwin Taywan and JP Maguliano, but clutch plays from Hommer Macatangay and Jungco kept JRU afloat. Free throws from Amores and John Delos Santos sealed the win for the home team.
"For me, I just did what I had to do - rebound, give a good screen, that's it," said Jungco. "We just followed coach's system because if we follow the system, we know that good results will come."
"What we prepared for is it's a game of streaks," Gonzalez said in Filipino as it was indeed an up-and-down contest against the Generals. The Heavy Bombers went to work on the defensive end early, shutting down EAC to zero field goals in the opening frame. They led by as much as 16 points before the Generals pulled off a run on their own in the third quarter.
Taywan led the Generals with 14 points and five steals while Jethro Mendoza and CJ Cadua added 11 points apiece. The Generals lost their fourth straight game and have stumbled to a 1-5 record.
"We didn't have Agem (Miranda) and my players were in foul trouble," Gonzalez said as Miranda had to serve a one-game suspension for punching in JRU's last game. "I looked them in the eye to see who I can pull from the bench. They already know what they needed to win the game."
With already its third win in seven games, JRU has already matched its total win output from last season.
THE SCORES:
JRU 64 -- Amores 16, Jungco 12, Delos Santos 10, Dela Rosa 8, Vasquez 6, Steinl 4, Macatangay 4, Dionisio 2, Aguilar 2, Arenal 0, Abaoag 0.
EAC 58 -- Taywan 14, Mendoza 11, Cadua 11, Maguliano 9, Gonzales 5, Carlos 4, Gurtiza 2, De Guzman 2, Estacio 0, Luciano 0, Boffa 0, Dayrit 0, Corilla 0, Martin 0, Tampoc 0.
Quarters: 12-4, 32-25, 38-45, 64-58.