MANILA, Philippines — Jose Rizal University took the upper hand in a tight race on top of Group A with a crucial 85-79 victory over College of Saint Benilde despite the return of two-time NCAA Most Valuable Player Allen Liwag to the Blazers lineup on Friday in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The Heavy Bombers finished the elims with a 10-3 record to assure themselves of placing in the top two spots of Group A and a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinal round.
St. Benilde, on the other hand, dropped to 8-4 but with one game left in their schedule, the Blazers have a chance to claim second place in Group A and the second quarterfinals incentive.
Standing on the Blazers way are the Red Lions of San Beda who are currently in second place with a 9-3 record. They are slated to collide on the last day of the elimination round on Tuesday.
A victory by the Blazers would give them the No. 2 spot by virtue of the winner-over-the-other rule while a loss would relegate them to third place. However, a win by the Red Lions on Tuesday would catapult them to first place and relegate the Heavy Bombers to second place in Group A. Both of them, however, will have the twice-to-beat incentive against respective foes in the next round.
On Friday, JRU was led by Lawrence Mangubat who scored a game-high 27 points even as Sean Salvador and Jahmir Eligado added 16 points each.
St. Benilde, on the other hand, was led by John Morales who scored 16 points.
Liwag, who returned after missing the first 11 games this season, scored only six points.
