After averaging 11.0 points in their first two games, Jed Mendoza was not making any noise in Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers’ game against the Arellano Chiefs until he made a crucial triple with only 0.2 seconds left to play to force overtime.
“Noong una, nag-struggle ako sa opensa ko.
“Hindi ko mahanap yung rhythm ko pero nung last dying seconds na, kailagan ko na mag contribute kasi medyo nagstruggle yung ibang teammates,” the sophomore recalled.
He scored a total of nine points all coming from the last few seconds of the fourth frame and overtime. But the guy who forced an overtime is the same guy who eventually blew their chances by splitting his free throws with only 4.0 seconds left to play.
It’s not the first time Mendoza experienced this, recalling a pre-season game against NCAA rivals Lyceum last May.
“Dalawang beses na nangyari sa akin ito dito sa JRU. Noong una sa Finals ng Got Skills versus LPU,” Mendoza regretfully recounted.
“Pinapractice ko naman pero siguro ‘di lang talaga para sa amin ang game na ito.”
Arellano’s ace Kent Salado took charge to finish the match shooting over Abdel Poutouochi to advance to 73-72 with only 0.3 seconds left, completing Arellano’s comeback to improve to a 2-1 record while leaving JRU at 1-2.
“Nakuha ng Arellano yung momentum kaya sayang talaga,” the 6-foot guard lamented.
“Nanghihinayang ang buong team.”
In the end, to the dismay of their head coach Vergel Meneses, JRU’s free throws hurt their chances to steal the win.
“Every time we’re in the practice, ako pa nagsasabi na i-practice ang free throws. Now, siguro they realize na how important the free throws are,” the mentor said as his team muffed eight of their 18 free throw attempts, two of which coming in the clutch.
With a tight race so far, every win matters. And this loss is one tough pill to swallow for Mendoza, Meneses, and the rest of the Heavy Bombers. – By: Danine Cruz
