Jose Rizal University (JRU) got back on track after defeating a stubborn College of St. Benilde (CSB), 71-63, on Friday to keep its Final Four bid afloat in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Cameroonian Abdel Poutouochi bulldozed his way to 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocks while Paolo Pontejos and Teytey Teodoro fired 14 and 11 points, respectively, to help the Heavy Bombers snare their eighth win against six defeats.

It was a big turnaround from their last game when the troika combined for just 16 points in a 60-63 loss to Emilio Aguinaldo College on Tuesday that was eventually placed under protest after an alleged foul by Remy Morada on a three-point shot by Teodoro was nullified because of lack of time.

The protest was still being deliberated by the league's Management Committee as of posting time.

JRU coach Vergel Meneses was just happy with the win.

"We just want to win our last games and see what happens," said Meneses.

The Kalentong-based dribblers needed to whip up a big third quarter storm to turn a 38-33 lead at the break to a 62-46 upperhand at the end of the period.

It was all JRU from there as the Blazers could only come as close as eight points.

There was some commotion between JRU's Gio Lasquety and St. Benilde's Edward Dixon after the latter committed a hard foul on Mark Cruz with eight seconds to go.

Both were slapped a technical foul.

The Blazers fell to their 14th straight defeat.

Box scores:

JRU 71 – Poutouochi 14, Pontejos 14, Teodoro 11, Grospe 8, Cruz 6, Abdul Wahab 5, Mendoza 4, Dela Virgen 4, Lasquety 2, Dela Paz 1, Astilla 1, Dada 1, Evardo 0

CSB 63 – Haruna 14, Dixon 13, Domingo 10, Saavedra 8, Young 6, Castor 4, Fajarito 4, Sta. Maria 4, Pajarillaga 0, Pasamante 0

Quarterscores: 21-16, 38-33, 62-46, 71-63

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