Jose Rizal University is two wins away from ending more than three decades of title drought.

     JR Sena scored a go-ahead finger roll and the Heavy Bombers used tough defense in the endgame to escape with a 63-61 win over the Letran Knights and earned their first finals appearance in seven years in the 'Final Four' of the 84th NCAA seniors basketball tournament Friday night at the Astrodome in Pasay City.

     JRU will have to wait for its championship opponent as No. 4 Mapua scored a 53-51 upset over defending champion and top seed San Beda College, which forged a 'sudden death' playoff in their own semifinals duel on Monday.

     "At least may kaunting break kami, it has been a long uphill climb for us," said Heavy Bombers coach Ariel Vanguardia.

     The last time the Bombers played in the finals was in 2001 where they bowed to the San Sebastian College Stags in a three-game series.

     Their last NCAA title was in 1972.

     The Knights sealed their fate after skipper RJ Jazul committed two critical turnovers in the final minute.

     Staring at a 58-61 deficit, the Heavy Bombers cut down the Knights lead to one with John Wilson scoring on a drive after Jazul lost control of the ball while attacking the basket.

     Sena mocked all the defenses put up by Letran, scoring the basket that gave Jose Rizal a 62-61 advantage, with 31.2 seconds remaining.

     Jazul committed another dribbling error before Marc Cagoco scored a free throw off a Kojack Melegrito foul for a two-point Heavy Bombers lead.

     The Knights had a chance to send the game into overtime but Jazul was foiled by Wilson while driving to the basket.

     Sena had 13 points and 11 rebounds while Cagoco contributed 11 points and three steals for Jose Rizal.

     Jazul finished with 17 points while Dino Daa added 16 points and nine boards for Letran.

 

     Scores:

     Jose Rizal (63) – Sena 13, Cagoco 11, Wilson 10, Kabigting 9, Njei 6, Hayes 6, Bulangis 4, Agas 4, Pradas 0.

     Letran (61) – Jazul 17, Daa 16, Ranises 11, Melegrito 8, Cortes 6, Foronda J. 2, Guevarra 1, Foronda C. 0, Gutilban 0.

     QS: 15-24; 32-35; 48-48; 63-61