11 August 2014,
Monday,
8 p.m.,
FilOil-Flying V Arena,
San Juan
Patrick Anonuevo could have won the game for the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers.
But Dennel Aguirre got in the way of his three-point shot in the last 1.8 seconds.
This enabled the Mapua Red Robins to survive a close game with the Light Bombers.
(Noah Lugo (5) tries to hold on to the ball while Andrei Dada (9)prepares to block his shot). Dennel Aguirre(7) prepares to receive a pass from Lugo).
The Red Robins were misfiring with their charities all Monday evening, August 11.
But, the top scoring Noah Lugo and Sherwin Concepcion still saved the day for them with their split free throws.
With their 57-53 win, the Red Robins finished their first round assignment with a 7-2 win-loss record.
(Mapua’s Sherwin Concepcion (18) in a rebound battle with (9) Dada).
They dragged the Light Bombers out of their share of the lead with the Letran Squires, and both now share second place in the 90th National Collegiate Athletic Association Junior Basketball Tournament.
Play by play
Noah Lugo, one of the Red Robins’ consistent players, led with 16 points in the 30 minutes he saw action.
In the final quarter, he struck with 10 points.
(Noah Lugo at the free throw line).
His split free throw in the last 1.1 seconds off a foul by Mark de la Virgen mattered a lot.
It gave them a much-needed three-point cushion as the clock winded down, 56-53.
And their three-point lead came following six lead changes and 11 deadlocks.
(Mapua David Velvez (12) in a midair battle for the loose ball with JRU’s Jamil Garcia).
The 17-year old Lugo said it was his defense on one of the Light Bombers’ mainstays Andrei Dada which helped the team win.
“Na-execute namin iyung mga plays namin, at na-depensahan ko si Dada,” said Lugo.
Lugo, who played within his averages of 16.33 points, managed to hold down Dada to just eight points, three rebounds and an assist.
For Dada, his output was below his regular score of 10 ppgs, 4.67 rpgs and 2.56 assists.
With Dada limited in this game, Jamil Garcia was left with a bigscoring load, and he made 17 throughout 26 points, which is way above his norm of 9.56.
The Red Robins were ahead, 53-48, when Garcia and Dada got fouled, and scored on a free throw and a split in the last 1:04.
This allowed JRU come close, 52-53, in the ensuing play.
Dennel Aguirre, who is usually 59 percent on the free throw line, was down at 33 percent that evening.
After getting fouled by Darious Estrella for his fifth and by Mark de la Virgen, he missed three of his four charities in the last 17 seconds.
Ahead by two afterwards, JRU almost tied the match, but they still caught up, 53-54, off a split from Anonuevo, and with 3.7 ticks to go.
As soon as Concepcion and Lugo sent in their freebies, JRU got possession and lost it on an out bounds error by Dada .
In the ensuing turnover, and with no time left, David Velvez finalized the count will spli charity off King Astrero’s foul.
– What win means to Red Robins
Red Robins coach Randy Alcantara expected a close game with the Light Bombers.
“Kung lalamang tayo, expect din natin na makakabalik sila… So kahit tsamba, panalo pa rin,” said Alcantara.
With their finish in the first round, Alcantara feels satisfied where they are at right now.
But, the more important games are coming, and they are in the second round, he added.
Pektus Corner 