After an 88-72 blowout victory over the struggling Arellano University in the NCAA Season 99 Seniors Basketball Tournament, Jose Rizal University ended its first-round tenure as one of the top teams in the league.
The Heavy Bombers finished with a 6-3 record heading into the second half of the season.
JRU is now level for the third spot in the standings alongside Lyceum of the Philippines University.
Though their system was already humming like a well-oiled machine, the Heavy Bombers just added another weapon to their arsenal that could help take them over the top in the second round of Season 99.
In the midst of their thrashing of the Chiefs, the Heavy Bombers subtly reintroduced team captain Ry Dela Rosa into the fold.
Dela Rosa, the younger brother of former San Beda Red Lion Rome Dela Rosa, missed most of the first round for the Heavy Bombers. He went down with a head injury in their opening game against Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
Then, after recovering from the tough blow, he suffered an illness that took him out the rest of the way.
“After the first game, I hit my head, and after that day, I was very lethargic, I would say. They gave me time to rest, and then after that, I got sick. So it kind of prolonged the whole thing, and I was gone for a while. I’m just happy to be in this position and trying to get back to my usual self,” shared the 24-year-old guard, who is in his final year.
Though Dela Rosa’s return was underwhelming on the statsheet, JRU and all other NCAA contenders in their way know how capable of an offensive tool Dela Rosa is when he gets going.
The 5-foot-10 senior guard was the most reliable three-point weapon for Jose Rizal University in Season 98. He averaged 8.67 points on 34.15-percent from beyond the arc in 18 games played.
The Heavy Bombers ended the first round lagging behind other NCAA contenders in their efficiency from behind the arc. They rank 7th in team three-point percentage, shooting only 24.43-percent from deep.
Given their shooting struggles, the Heavy Bombers know how important Dela Rosa will be to their success as they push for the final four.
“Siyempre, nagpapasalamat kaming bumalik si Ry. Thank you kay Lord na bumalik siya, kailangan talaga namin siya eh, kung malas si Argente or kung sino man sa amin sa loob, nandoon si Ry na may kumpiyansa. Bagay siya sa amin,” said Marwin Dionisio, who had a standout performance in the Arellano match after dropping 21 points on 81.8-percent shooting.
The squad knows that Dela Rosa will need some time to get back into game shape and get his conditioning to the level that they need it to be.
Still, the Heavy Bombers are prepared to be patient with his progression.
“We’re happy kasi nandito na siya ulit. Nung wala siya, we were missing his services, we were missing him.
“Pag off si (Shawn) Argente nandoon siya, sana huwag silang dalawang maging off. Ngayon Ry is still keeping up kasi medyo mataas yung sakit niya, lagnat. Ngayon bumabalik na siya slowly, kaya nung nakita niyo kanina ngayon ko lang siya nag-miss ng tatlong free throws. I’m pretty sure he’ll bounce back,” Callueng explained.
Dela Rosa himself knows he has work to do to integrate himself into a JRU squad that has already developed chemistry with him off the floor.
However, he believes that his team-first mentality will help him figure out just what holes he needs to fill for the Heavy Bombers.
“I’m always a team-first type of guy, so for me to come back, it won’t be hard for me to adjust to what they’ve got going on. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I’ll just have to add and see what I can do to help the team because we’re doing pretty well right now. They were pretty happy that I’m back, so we’ll just see in practice and take it day-by-day, we’ll find that rhythm with me coming back,” declared Dela Rosa.
“They’ll definitely take it a day at a time, I’m kinda just preparing myself to shake off the rust right now and, moving forward, get my groove back.”
Dela Rosa will have to get his feet back under him quickly.
The Heavy Bombers will need him at a hundred-percent when they face Lyceum of the Philippines University on Tuesday at 2:00 PM at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
With a jump in the standings on the line – and a motivated Pirates squad looking for revenge waiting on the other side – JRU will need all hands on deck for their upcoming clash.
