Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Tey Teodoro took charge in the fourth quarter as Jose Rizal University stole a come-from-behind 90-87 victory over Mapua to jump to solo fourth place in the 91st National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan on Tuesday (August 11).
Teodoro poured in 18 of his career-best 32 points including the game-winning lay-up as the Bombers erased an 18-point deficit in the final three minutes to move up to No. 4 with a 5-3 (win-loss) record.
“He’s a big-time player,” said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses of Teodoro.
Down by 18 points with less than four minutes to go, 66-84, Teodoro sparked the huge fightback by scattering 13 points in a 24-3 finish.
Teodoro’s biggest moment came when the Cardinals were trailing by a point, 87-86, with 8.1 seconds to go. Instead of attempting a three-pointer, he drove to an open lane and hit a lay up over the outstretched arms of Allwell Oraeme with 3.3 ticks left.
After turning the ball over in the next play, Dave Sanchez was fouled and canned two foul shots with 2.3 seconds to give Jose Rizal a three-point cushion.
The Cardinals had one more chance to tie but Justin Serrano’s desperation heave from halfcourt that hit the ring as time expired.
It was a heartbreaking defeat for the Cardinals, whose downfall came when its phalanx of guards–Darell Menina, John Nieles and Andretti Stevens–fouled out one after the other in the stretch.
It didn’t help that Mapua missed CJ Isit, who is out three weeks due to a dislocated elbow, and Josan Nimes, who sat out due to back issues.
In the other game, Perpetual Help went to Prince Eze and Antonio Coronel as it downed upset-conscious Emilio Aguinaldo College, 68-55, to keep its place at No. 3.
The 6-11 Eze had 17 points, eight rebounds and two blocks while Coronel had a career-best 16 points to power the Altas to their sixth win against three defeats and closer to Letran (7-1) and San Beda (6-1).
The effort of Eze and Coronel made up for horrible games of Bright Akhuetie and Earl Scottie Thompson, who finished with season-lows one and four points, respectively.
“We’re happy the other guys stepped up,” said Perpetual Help coach Aric del Rosario.
The Generals fell to their sixth defeat against two wins, including a shock 83-69 win over Letran Friday (August 7).
