Grieving Bombers survive Cardinals

MANILA, Philippines - Jose Rizal University battled back from an 18-point deficit to turn back Mapua, 83-78, behind the fourth quarter heroics of John Wilson yesterday to rejoin San Sebastian in the lead in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Wilson scattered 14 of his 25 points in the last period, including an 11-point binge in the final 1.41 minutes to power the Bombers to their sixth straight win which they dedicated to a fallen former teammate.

“This one is for Jayson Nocom, our captain, brother, friend and protector,” said Jose Rizal coach Ariel Vanguardia.

Nocom died in a motorcycle road accident early Monday.

Wearing a piece of black cloth bearing Nocom’s initials and jersey No. 10, the Bombers fought back from a 37-55 deficit in the third quarter behind a stirring 35-19 run to close within 72-74 with less than two minutes to go in the contest.

Wilson then capped the Bombers’ endgame blitz with 11 straight points, including a triple that bounced once before trickling in.

“I thought that one triple by John (Wilson) will not go in. But it did, probably Jayson (Nocom) tipped it in, he’s now our sixth man,” said Vanguardia.

It was a sorry loss for Mapua, which pounced on a weary JRU side which attended Nocom’s wake the past two nights, to seize control majority of the way.

In the other game, Letran bucked the absence of suspended teammates Kris Alas and Jaypee Belencion as it demolished Angeles U Foundation, 94-64, to remain at No. 4 with a 4-3 card.

Rey Guevarra paced the Knights with 16 points while Kevin Alas, Kirk del Rosario and RJ Jazul chipped in 15, 15 and 14 points, respectively, to make up for the absence of Alas and Belencion, who were suspended for one game for their misconduct in their match against San Beda last week.

The Great Danes fell to their sixth setback in seven outings.