Tey Teodoro was once again the focal point of Jose Rizal University when they blasted College of St. Benilde Tuesday, 67-49 as he dished out another masterful performance.
Teodoro scored 21 points, eight rebounds, and two assists in 26 minutes of play, but another Heavy Bomber stepped up defensively even without logging much in the stat sheets to provide ample help.
Gio Lasquety was scoreless in 25 minutes but made tremendous impact after stopping Jonathan Grey on the defensive end.
“Lagi naman sinasabi sa akin ni coach [Vergel Meneses]Â na maski hindi maka-points, basta manalo kami. Ako ang sinasabi nilang pinakamagaling dumepensa at kung hindi ko babantayan ang players ng kalaban, matatalo kami,” Lasquety said after the victory.
“Kumbaga sa akin, yun na ang points ko kapag nai-stop ko ang pinakamagagaling sa kalaban. Every game naman lagi niya sinasabi na pinagkakatiwalaan nila ang depensa ko kaya binibigay ko lang kung ano ang hinihingi nila.”
Grey was limited to only six points on a horrid 2-of-17 shooting all game long, failing to escape the hounding defense of Lasquety.
The Heavy Bombers’ backcourt stopper takes pride in it, saying it is a more comfortable role for him with the presence of scorers on their side.
“Jonathan Grey yun. Every game he is averaging 18 or 19 siguro pero ngayon six points lang. Masaya ako dahil nagawa ko ang role ko sa team at nanalo kami,” he said.
“Mas komportable ako dahil mas nage-enjoy akong dumpepensa kaysa magshoot ng magshoot. Iniisip ko na lang na ayoko nang makigulo sa kanila dahil marami kaming scorers.”
In the long run, Lasquety wants to build his identity as a stopper, citing that it may be his ticket to the pro ranks.
“Gusto ko makilala bilang magaling dumepensa at sa tingin ko kaya naman kung magpo-professional ako, kukunin nila ako dahil sa depensa.”
There are not many players who prioritize giving a helping hand on the defensive side, but for Lasquety, this aspect is his cup of tea.
