Games Wednesday (The Arena, San Juan)
10 a.m. — Arellano vs JRU (Jrs)
12 noon — UPHD vs SSC-R (Jrs)
2 p.m. — Arellano vs JRU (Srs)
4 p.m. — UPHD vs SSC-R (Srs)

Jose Rizal University staved off Arellano University’s spirited rally in the dying seconds on Monday as the Heavy Bombers pulled off a 67-64 victory that gave them the third Final Four slot in the 86th NCAA cage wars at The Arena in San Juan.

The Bombers thought they had the game all wrapped up after erecting a 64-48 advantage eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter behind Cameroonian John Njei and Fil-Am Nate Matute.

But the Chiefs turned to Adrian Celada, who made nine of his season-high 30 points in a sizzling fourth-quarter salvo that sent the Bombers in disarray.

A charity split by Njei off a Celada foul put an end to JRU’s seven-minute drought, giving the Bombers a precarious 65-61 lead, 42.8 seconds left before Celada retaliated with a trey that sent shivers down JRU’s spine.

John Lopez saved the day for JRU with a layup to close out scoring with 19 seconds to go as Celada’s attempt from downtown rimmed out at the buzzer, thanks to Njei’s air-tight defense.

The win boosted JRU’s record to 9-3 and it enabled the Bombers to enter the semifinals for the fourth straight time.

The loss sent Arellano reeling on the ropes with a 4-8 slate, putting it further behind fourth-running Mapua, which has a 7-4 mark.

In the other seniors game, San Sebastian came back from 10 points down as it edged a game Perpetual Help squad, 72-63, to inch closer to leader San Beda (11-0) with its 11th win in 12 matches.

Calvin Abueva came through with an MVP-like performance with 14 points, 19 rebounds, three blocks and two assists while John Raymundo had 14 points, six feeds and four boards.

The Altas, who were led by Justine Alano's 15 points, fell to their 11th straight setback.

Earlier in the day, the Light Bombers whipped the Junior Chiefs, 91-83, but not after three players were thrown out for rough play.

The game turned ugly in the fourth period with the Light Bombers ahead, 74-70, with 5:56 left when Arellano’s Brando Guibone punched Daniel Tamayo in the head after a scramble for the loose ball.

A commotion ensued but Guibone claimed he just came to the rescue of a teammate who was earlier elbowed by Tamayo.

The scores:
First Game
JOSE RIZAL 67 — Njei 13, Matute 10, Lopez 10, Apinan 8, Hayes 6, Almario 4, Etame 4, Montemayor 4, Kabigting 4, Bulangis 4
ARELLANO 64 — Celada 30, Lapuz 12, Tayongtong 11, Del Rosario 4, Zulueta 3, Casino 2, Ciriacruz 2, Caperal 0, Anquilo 0
Quarters: 16-16, 32-29, 59-48, 67-64

Second Game
SAN SEBASTIAN 72 — Abueva 14, Raymundo 14, Sangalang 10, Bulawan 9, Gorospe 8, Semira 7, Maconocido 5, del Rio 3, Gatchalian 2, dela Cruz 0
PERPETUAL HELP 63 — Alano 15, Ynion 10, Arboleda 10, Danganan 10, Vidal 6, Allen 6, Elopre 5, Sumera 1, Kintanar 0, Asuncion 0, Sison 0
Quarters: 11-14; 25-33; 46-47; 72-63