After suffering their first loss in the 2017 Filoil Pre-season Premier Cup, the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers vented their frustration on the University of Perpetual Help System-DALTA Altas, cruising to a 70-56 wire-to-wire win, Friday afternoon in San Juan.
“They thought na they can beat anybody after defeating, sabihin na natin, yung number one collegiate team in the Philippines [DLSU Green Archers],” JRU head coach Vergel Meneses recalled about his team’s mindset prior to their 87-95 loss to Lyceum last Monday.
“They thought na parehas na lang every game. It’s a difference system, iba yung pressure. Kailangan nilang masanay dun,” the PBA legend added.
Not letting the loss affect them, the Heavy Bombers lambasted the Altas on all fronts, limiting the Las Piñas-based squad to just a 35 percent shooting clip while out-rebounding them 55-38, despite the return of Prince Eze to Perpetual’s line-up.
“Coming from a loss at least we bounced back. Second half, great defense and the effort was there,” Meneses furthered.
After limiting Perpetual to just eight first-quarter points, AJ Coronel and Gab Dagangon clawed Perpetual right back in the second frame, cutting the lead to just three points entering halftime.
Teytey Teodoro continued his hot-shooting, while Ervin Grospe scored nine of his 12 points in the second half. The frontline of Abdoul Poutouochi and Grospe stifled the Altas the rest of the way.
Fourth-year gunslinger Teodoro scored 19 points, knocking down five triples in the game. Poutouochi added nine points and grabbed 16 rebounds.
GJ Ylagan was the sole Perpetual student-athlete to score in double-figures with 13 points. Eze added eight points, four rebounds, and two blocks in his return after a three-game absence.
JRU will open Sunday’s game day, taking on the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers at 11:15am. Perpetual will have a tough assignment in their next outing when they take on the Lyceum Pirates on Monday at 5:00pm.
The Scores:
JRU (70) – Teodoro 19, Grospe 12, Estrella 9, Poutuouchi 9, Dela Virgen 8, Lasquety 4, Abdul Wahab 4, Sawat 4, Mendoza 1, Mate 0, Mariano 0, Bordon 0.
UPHSD (56) – Ylagan 13, Eze 8, Dagangon 7, Singontiko 7, Coronel 6, Pido 4, Sadiwa 4, Lucente 4, Clemente 2, Mangalino 1, Yuhico 0.
Quarterscores: 15-8, 32-29, 51-42, 70-56.
