Mapua’s Randolf Soriano (center) and Jose Rizal University’s John Wilson (right) scramble for the loose ball during their game yesterday in the NCAA tournament. At left is Marvin Hayes. (TONY PIONILLA)

Games Friday
(The Arena, San Juan)
10 a.m. — CSB vs Arellano (Jrs)
11:45 a.m. — EAC vs San Beda (Jrs)
2 p.m. — CSB vs Arellano (Srs)
4 p.m. — EAC vs San Beda (Srs)

Jose Rizal University drew strength and inspiration from a fallen former teammate as the Heavy Bombers scored a gripping 83-78 come-from-behind win over the Mapua Cardinals in the NCAA basketball tournament on Wednesday at The Arena in San Juan.

In what could be their toughest game so far in the young tournament, the Bombers fell by 18 points in the third period but got a huge help from their “sixth man” to complete their amazing comeback.

Immediately after the win, coach Ariel Vanguardia thanked the “unseen hands” of former team captain Jayson Nocom for providing them the needed push that enabled them to get out of the 18-point hole.

In the second game, Letran exploited the erratic plays of Angeles University Foundation to cruise to an easy 94-64 win in the second game.

With the Great Danes committing 44 turnovers, the Knights raced to a commanding 48-21 lead on the way to posting their fourth win in seven outings – a record good enough for solo fourth.

Nocom, who played key role last season that saw them finish runner-up to San Beda, died Monday in a vehicular accident. He was only 23-years old.

“No doubt this is our toughest game,” said Vanguardia. “The inspiration of his death helped us. I sincerely believe he’s with us. He’s our sixth man”

While Nocom providing the inspiration, John Wilson supplied the extra firepower late in the game to extend their winning run to six. They are again tied for the lead with San Sebastian College at 6-0.

Holding a slim 75-74 lead with 1:44 left, the Bombers put the game away when the 6-foot-1 Wilson fired 11 straight points that frustrated the hard-fighting Cardinals who led by as high as 18 points in the third period.

Wilson had three treys in that 11-1 run that enabled the Bombers to take the lead, 83-75, 20 ticks left.

Again, Vanguardia paid tribute to Wilson’s clutch shooting

“I think he’s the best amateur scorer in the country,” Vanguardia said of Wilson, 21, who finished with 25 points on a scorching 6-of-7 shooting from the rainbow territory.

Dominated early by sorrow and grief following the death of their teammate, the Bombers, who wore masking tapes bearing Nocom’s name and his No. 10, trailed by 18, 37-55, when Mark Acosta completed a three-point in the third frame.

The Bombers, however, made a sizzling run from there before James Sena scored on a pull up to give the Bombers their first taste of the lead, 70-69, midway through the fourth.

The scores:
First Game (Srs)
JRU 83 — Wilson 25, Hayes 14, Agas 10, Cagoco 9, Apinan 8, Sena 8, Bulangis 6, Njei 3, Matute 0, Lopez 0, Kabigting 0
Mapua 78 — Acosta 20, Mangahas 17, Pascual 13, Stevens 10, Cornejo 8, Guillermo 5, Sarangay 2, Raneses 2, Parala 1, Espinosa 0, Soriano 0
Quarters: 16-20, 35-45, 57-64, 83-78

Second Game (Srs)
LETRAN 94 — Guevarra 16, Kevin Alas 15, Del Rosario 15, Jazul 14, Foronda 9, Ang 7, Gutilban 6, Taplah 4, Datang 4, Publico 2, Cortes 2, Pantin 0.
AUF 64 — Gigante 16, Fuertez 9, Manarang 9, Maniago 8, Santos 7, Carney 6, Nacu 3, Henson 2, Perez 2, Dumlao 1, Musni 1, Cayanan 0.
Quarters: 27-15, 48-21, 69-40, 94-64.