MANILA - Jose Rizal blew hot and cold before hanging tough in the stretch to thwart a pesky Letran, 69-66, to likewise open their campaign with a triumph in the 85th National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Seniors Basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

Big Three John Wilson, James Sena and Marvin Hayes, who fired 21, 18 and 14 points respectively, were responsible in giving the Bombers a 58-41 upper hand late in the third canto.

But the Kalentong-based dribblers lost their concentration that enabled the Knights to cut their deficit to two points in the final stretch of the match.

Letran, however, blew its chances of knotting the count twice and an advantage foul by rookie Kevin Alas, one of the sons of coach Louie Alas under his wing, allowing Jose Rizal to preserve the win.

“I’m disappointed with how we finished the game,” said Jose Rizal mentor Ariel Vanguardia.

The Knights, who last won a title four years back, paid dearly for their flat start that allowed the Bombers to build enough cushion to hold on the win.

And Jose Rizal did it without 6’7” Cameroonian Joe Etame, who will be out two more weeks due to a left knee injury.

The JRU-Letran match was the second NCAA game on Saturday.

Stags overpower Altas

Count one win for coach Ato “The Atom Bomb” Agustin in another NCAA opener.

San Sebastian gifted Agustin, a former MVP in the pros, a 76-64 win over a new-look Perpetual Help on his coaching debut to likewise start its title campaign with a win during the third NCAA game.

“It’s good I won my first game as a coach, I hope we’ll keep it up,” said Agustin in Filipino.

Jimbo Aquino and Gilbert Bulawan waxed with 20 and 15 points to hand the Stags a win that should give them enough momentum before it collides with heavy favorite San Beda this week.