Jose Rizal University gave head coach Nani Epondulan a dream debut, stunning Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 73-69, to open their NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball campaign on Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
With the victory, the Heavy Bombers joined the San Beda Red Lions — who defeated the Benilde Blazers, 96-85, on opening day — at the top of Group B.
“Well, lagi ko nire-reiterate sa kanila na ibuhos na nila lahat every game kasi yung press conference pa lang, nobody expected kung ano magiging performance namin, especially galing kami sa cellar talaga,” said Epondulan, the Season 77 MVP who replaced Louie Gonzalez during the offseason.
“Sinabi ko sa kanila na gawin naming motivation ito para every game, mapakita namin yung kakayanan namin.”
Clinging to a 40-37 lead early in the third quarter, the Heavy Bombers turned to Ivan Panapanaan, Sanlea Peñaverde, Allan Laurenaria, and Stephen Garupil, who sparked a 9-0 run to seize a 12-point cushion.
JRU’s advantage ballooned to as high as 16 points, 59-43, late in the third canto.
“Lagi namin sinasabi na kung mayroong tatakbo, dapat kami yun kasi nga yung height namin. With regards sa defense namin, we like to play the halfcourt defense. Low-scoring ballgames sana. Napakaraming scorers lang talaga ng Letran kaya ganyan yung score nila,” Epondulan noted.
The Knights, however, refused to fold.
Jonathan Manalili sank clutch free throws to trim the deficit to just three, 72-69, with 14 seconds left.
But Justin Lozano split his charities on the next play, and Shawn Argente came up big on defense, challenging the shots of Chad Gammad and Manalili to secure the win for JRU.
“Especially kay (Ivan) Panapanaan at (Stephen) Garupil, pati si Argente, kahit pagod na, sa kanya ako pumunta nung endgame. Malaki tiwala ko sa kanila para magsara ng game,” Epondulan said.
Lozano led the Heavy Bombers with 17 points, three rebounds, three assists, and a steal, while rookie Sean Salvador added 10 points.
Panapanaan was a force on both ends with 14 rebounds, three blocks, and eight points.
JRU will look to build on the momentum when it faces the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals on Tuesday.
The Knights, meanwhile, dropped to 0-1 in Group B, joining fellow Strong Group-backed squad Benilde at the bottom.
Jimboy Estrada paced Letran with 14 points on 15 attempts, while Manalili tallied 11 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Off the bench, Gammad chipped in 11 points on three triples, while Kevin Santos registered a 10-point, 11-rebound double-double.
Letran’s road only gets tougher as they face their archrivals, the San Beda Red Lions, this Sunday.
The Scores:
Jose Rizal 73 – Lozano 17, Salvador 10, Panapanaan 8, Peñaverde 7, Garupil 6, Laurenaria 6, Herrera 6, Benitez 5, Argente 4, Sarmiento 2, Castillo 2, Esguerra 0, Duque 0
Letran 69 – Estrada 14, Manalili 11, Gammad 11, Roque 10, Santos 10, Tapenio 9, Rosilio 2, Omega 2, Yusi 0, Silorio 0, Buensalida 0
Quarterscores: 23-22, 40-35, 59-46, 73-69
