After defeating defending Premier Cup champions De La Salle University on opening day, the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers continued to ride their momentum, managing to hold off the University of the East Red Warriors, 67-62, Sunday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
The Heavy Bombers sit atop Group A with a 2-0 slate, while the Red Warriors dropped to 1-1.
“Well, honestly nandun yung hinahanap ko na extra pass. [Because of it] We were able to break their press,” said JRU head coach Vergel Meneses, as they were able to execute their plays despite facing Derrick Pumaren’s pressure defense.
Teytey Teodoro once again led JRU with 20 points on 8-for-15 shooting from the field, 3-for-7 from distance.
“Sinasabi ko lang sa kanya lagi na he needs to lead his teammates,” Meneses remarked about his gunslinger. “Pag gumana teammates niya, less pressure on him. It will be easier for him to involve his teammates.”
And his supporting cast stepped up as well, as Ervin Grospe chipped in 10 points, while fellow backcourt mate MJ Dela Virgen added 10 points. Both grabbed six rebounds as well.
JRU led by as much as 11 points in the final frame, 67-56, the Heavy Bombers let their guards down, committing three straight turnovers that led to a 6-0 run for UE.
“Supposed to be, pagdating ng third quarter and you’re holding a big lead, you finish the game strong,” Meneses lamented. “Pag mahaba-mahaba pa yung laro, siguro nakahabol pa yan.”
Foreign student-athletes Abdulwahab Abdulrazak and Abdoul Poutuouchi combined for 19 rebounds.
Alvin Pasaol was the only Red Warrior to score in double-digits with 10 points but shot just 3-for-12 from the field. As a team, UE shot just 35 percent from the field and had just eight second chance points.
UE will next face NCAA rivals Letran Knights on Friday, May 12, at 3:15pm. UE, on the other hand, will have the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers next on their slate on Wednesday, May 10, at 3:15pm.
The Scores:
JRU (67) – Teodoro 20, Grospe 10, Dela Virgen 8, Mendoza 7, Lasquety 6, Abdulwahab 6, Poutouochi 4, Sawat 4, Estrella 2, Mate 0, Bordon 0, Astilla 0.
UE (62) – Pasaol 10, Derige 8, Maloles 7, Olayon 6, Manalang 6, Varilla 5, Conner 5, Cullar 4, Acuno 4, Magbuhos 2, Cruz 2, Armenion 2, Gagate 1, Abanto 0, Green 0.
Quarterscores: 19-16, 41-38, 59-48, 67-62.
