Jose Rizal University has been branded by some of the NCAA’s coaches as the most physical team in the league.
But the Heavy Bombers are not really trying to just bully the other teams. All they do is exert maximum effort in each game.
“Yeah, siguro ito ‘yung pinag-tatrabahuhan namin all throughout, and this is what the brand of game that we really like – it’s playing with effort,” said JRU head coach Louie Gonzales as his team only had a win in nine games.
“‘Yung physicality nandun naman eh, pero kasi ang utos ko palagi dun sa team ko, ang challenge ko sa kanila is not to leave any stones unturned. Kung ano ‘yung magagwa natin through effort, kung ano ‘yung disiplina na magagawa natin defending its gates, it’s a hard nose D.”
The change in attitude has led to the Heavy Bombers notching their second win as early as their third game of the season.
And JRU proved that it was for real when it faced Mapua University on Friday.
In the game against the Cardinals, the Heavy Bombers went scoreless in the final four minutes of the payoff period. But Gonzalez said it was the wake-up call they needed to get back to their bread-and-butter — play intense defense.
It resulted in a huge 67-64 overtime win. A statement by all accounts.
“Alam naman natin ‘yung team line between foul and walang foul eh,” expressed Gonzalez as his team committed a total of 25 fouls in the game.
“So, every inch, I always challenge them na pag-trabahuhan natin kasi malaki talaga ‘yung problema natin kung buong buo pa ‘yung kondisyon ng kalaban in the close out; ayun lagi, ayun lagi sabi ko game kailangan pag dating ng fourth quarter, ang challenge palagi natin lagi dun sa opponent natin is ‘kaya pa ba nila tayo?’
“And, alam ko all throughout marami tayo pinagkakatiwalaan, alam ko malakas tayo,” he continued.
However, even with the kind of physicality they show, Gonzalez said they don’t have any bad blood with anyone in the league.
“Wala naman bad blood, lahat naman kami mabait naman. Kinakaibigan ko lahat ng mga coaches dito [sa NCAA]. Alam nila ‘yun lagi ibabato namin.”
