MANILA -- Jose Rizal coach Ariel Vanguardia knows a game with guest team Arellano U is no walk in the park.

He was right.

Drawing strength from its championship experience, the Bombers outplayed the Chiefs in the fourth quarter as they eked out an 88-82 win yesterday to surge to the solo lead in Season 85 at The Arena in San Juan City.

“It’s always a challenge playing them,” said Vanguardia, who still remembers losing to the same Arellano team in the finals of the Fr. Martin Cup early this year.

“I have to give to it to Arellano, they played probably their best game and they showed they truly belonged to the NCAA,” he added.

A John Wilson and their heft and size advantage were the other two factors that spelled the difference for a school whose owners—the Fabellas—happen to be cousins of the Arellano owners—The Caycos.

Wilson, in particular, was so spectacular he was literally all over the court. He piled up super human numbers - a game-high 26 points and seven assists, nine rebounds, two steals and a block shot.

And while Wilson was busy ramming the demolition truck into Arellano’s fortress, the seasoned frontcourt duo of James Sena and Marvin Hayes were hammering their way inside and making sure their defense held.

Sena and Hayes, in fact, not only combined for 33 points, they also teamed up for 23 boards as Jose Rizal completely dominated the boards, 45-27.

“I told them I’m not feeling well today and they should take care of everything among them,” said Vanguardia. “I’m glad John Wilson stepped up big and saved me in this game.”

Arellano, however, made up for it with their aggressive full-court defense, quickness and outside shooting that kept it in the game all throughout.

With their defense holding, the Chiefs forced the Bombers to turn the ball 28 times that enabled the former to go berserk in fastbreaks where they scored 34.

Vanguardia was particularly impressed with Wilson.

“He’s the team’s hardest worker, he’s always the first one to arrive in practice and the last to leave, that’s how dedicated he is,” said Vanguardia of his 22-year-old Binangonan, Rizal-based guard.

In the end though, it was Wilson and Jose Rizal’s height advantage and defense that did it for Jose Rizal.