Bombers explode, blast Altas
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 07/03/2009 5:32 PM
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MANILA -- There is one big reason why the Jose Rizal Bombers have the golden chance to go all the way this season. That one reason is named Big James Sena.
The 6’5” Sena unleashed a monster effort on Friday to tow Jose Rizal to an 83-58 shackling of a listless Perpetual Help Friday to grab a share of the lead with San Sebastian and guest team Arellano University in Season 85 of the NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Altas were like the grass to a lawnmower like Sena, who bullied his way to a season best 18 rebounds, 14 points, eight assists and a block that sealed the Bombers to their second straight victory.
“The plan was to really to give James the ball inside because we know we have the advantage there,” said Jose Rizal coach Ariel Vanguardia, who is hoping to steer his team to its first title since winning it all in 1972.
So dominating were Sena and the Bombers that they had 31 more rebounds than what the Altas could manage, 52-21.
And Jose Rizal accomplished the feat without their rookie giant, the 6’7” Cameroonian Joe Etame.
Etame would return late this month when the left knee injury he sustained in the pre-season is expected to heal.
“He’ll probably return in our seventh game of the season, that’s probably late this month,” said Vanguardia of Etame.
Jose Rizal’s big men allowed the perimeter guys like John Wilson and Mark Cagoco to frolick from behind the arc where they drained a combined nine out of their team’s 10 booming triples.
It was also a performance that somehow made up for a flat finish in an escape 69-66 win over the Letran Knights in Saturday’s inaugurals at the Big Dome.
“I was angry after that game that I pounded them in practice the next day. I told them we need to win by more than 15 or 20 points in our next game to make up for it and I’m glad the boys responded,” said Vanguardia.
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