By Ricky Manliguis
MANILA—With Teytey Teodoro struggling against a sticky Letran defense, it’s time for Jed Mendoza to step up. And he
did it big-time.
Picking up where he left off last time
against Arellano, Mendoza came out smoking as the Heavy Bombers pulled the rug
from under the Knights, 65-62, in Friday’s NCAA Season 93 men’s seniors basketball
at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The sophomore guard fired 13 of his 17
points in the second half while forcing a big defensive stop in the end as the
Kalentong-based squad improved to an even 2-2 record.
Mendoza went on a tear against the
Knights with his drives to the basket, capping off a 10-4 JRU run with a nifty
spin move for a 61-50 bubble at the 4:08 mark of the final canto.
But the Knights kept the game
interesting with a 12-4 run of their own to come within 65-62 with nine ticks
to go. The team had one final push, but it was Mendoza who forced JP Clavo into
a turnover.
Teodoro was silent in the final half yet
managed to finish with 14 points. Gio Lasquety chipped in 10, while role player
Richard David came off the bench to score nine.
Letran, which slumped to 1-2, got 16
points from Bong Quinto, while Rey Nambatac and Calvo followed suit with 14 and
11, respectively.
The Bombers will next meet tournament
hosts San Sebastian in an away game on Thursday, while Letran is set to face
arch-nemesis San Beda two days earlier.
The Scores:
JRU 65 – Mendoza 17, Teodoro 14, Lasquety 10, David 9, Abdul Razak
5, Grospe 4, Poutouochi 4, Bordon 2, Dela Virgen 0, Castor 0
Letran 62 – Quinto 16, Nambatac 14, Calvo 11, Balanza 7, Ambohot
6, Balagasay 6, Taladua 2, Pamulaklakin 0, Vacaro 0, Bernabe 0, Gedaria 0
Quarterscores: 14-12, 28-24, 47-40, 65-62.
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