By Dugout Philippines
The JRU Heavy Bombers withheld a late San Sebastian Golden Stags rally to escape with an 82-77 win to become the third team to enter the NCAA Final Four at the FilOil Flying V Arena.
The Heavy Bombers went off to a 14-2 start and eventually held on to the double-digit edge at the end of the first quarter.
But the Golden Stags got back in the game in the second quarter as they cut the lead to five, 37-32, at halftime.
JRU looked to pull away again after mounting the lead to as high as 21, 58-37, after a 21-5 run to start the third period even as San Sebastian coach Topex Robinson got sent off after getting two technical fouls.
But San Sebastian fought back anew and cut the lead to 14, 69-55, at the end of the third.
The Bombers were poised to take the win early in the fourth as they held on to a 76-60 lead with six minutes left in the game.
But the Stags made one final push as they ignited a 16-3 run later in the payoff period to cut the lead to three, 79-76, with 1:06 left.
They had a chance to inch closer as Philip Paniamogan was called for a 24-second violation when he failed to shoot his jumper that went in before the shotclock expired.
But Abdul Abdul-Wahab saved the day for JRU as he blocked Ivan Camasura's layup on the other end.
Paniamogan made up for his error as he converted two free throws after a foul to extend the lead to five, 81-76, with 27.6 seconds left.
C.J. Perez missed a baseline jumper on the other end, but Camasura got the loose ball and got a foul.
Camasura, however, only made one of two free throws as the Bombers got the ball back with 20.3 seconds remaining.
Paniamogan, on the other hand, also split his charities in the next play, giving the Stags another chance.
Perez, however, missed a desperation layup as Abdul-Wahab secured the rebound and the win for the Bombers.
Paniamogan made 24 points, 20 in the second half including 15 in the third quarter, and six steals to lead JRU, which now ties Perpetual Help for third place at 12-6.
Michael Mabulac added a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Jamil Ortuoste led San Sebastian, which finished its campaign with five wins and 13 losses, with 22 points and four steals.
Box Scores:
JRU 82-Paniamogan 24, Benavides 13, Mabulac 13, Teodoro 10, Asuncion 10, Abdulwahab 6, Sanchez 3, Grospe 3, Astilla 0, Lasquety 0, Balagtas 0
San Sebastian 77-Ortuoste 22, Camasura 13, Perez 13, Guinto 9, Dela Cruz 7, Balucanag 7, Yong 4, Aquino 2, Calisaan 0, Fabian 0, Santos 0
Quarterscores: 22-11, 37-32, 69-55, 82-77
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