Behind the efforts of Marwin Dionisio, Jose Rizal University staved off Emilio Aguinaldo College, staking a 69-63 triumph in the NCAA Season 95 Seniors Basketball Tournament, Friday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.
“Thankful kami at least nanalo na ulit. Pero this game, yung closing ng laro yung wala namin. We really lost bad sa last games namin with Mapua, Saint Benilde, and Letran,” reflected JRU head coach Louie Gonzalez as they last entered the win column back in August 1. “Ang nagproblema namin yung papano namin ma-close out yung game at maging competitive sa endgame.
“Akin kasi, alam ko bata sila, pero wala na kami sa stage na yun. It’s more mental na. Lahat naman ng teams sa final canto, it’s a matter of execution,” he continued.
Leading by as much as nine points in the contest, EAC was able to chop the lead down to just four multiple times in the final frame.
But in all of the comeback attempts of the Generals, Dionisio was there to stop the Heavy Bombers’ bleeding, capping his performance with an under-the-basket stab to close out the game.
Dionisio had 13 points and 16 rebounds in the contest.
“Siyempre, nagpapasalamat ako kay coach sa pagbigay ng ganitong playing time, halos thirty minutes. Bad game ako last game pero sinabi ko sa kanya na babawi kami. Kailangan namin mag-stay sa sistema ni coach at sumunod,” said Dionisio.
JRU kept its playoff hopes alive, going up to 4-7 — just three games behind fourth-running Letran and San Sebastian.
“Since the season started, the focus is excellence. It’s about adapting the culture and the attitude that we want to instill sa kanila. It’s part of the process. It’s not easy playing for me, lagi ko sinasabi sa kanila yan. I demand yung full commitment nila inside and outside the court,” said Gonzalez.
Agem Miranda led JRU in scoring with 16 points while Ry Dela Rosa added 11 markers. JL Delos Santos scattered nine points, six rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block.
EAC, who dropped their ninth straight game to fall to 1-10, was paced by JP Maguliano, who had 16 points and eight rebounds. Jethro Mendoza added 15 points but shot just 5-of-14 from the field.
JRU looks to sustain its momentum when it faces the San Beda Red Lions on Thursday, September 19 at 2:00 pm. EAC, on the other hand, looks to snap its skid against the Mapua Cardinals on Friday.
The Scores:
JRU 69 – Miranda 16, Dionisio 13, Dela Rosa 11, Delos Santos 9, Amores 7, Aguilar 7, Arenal 6, Vasquez 0, Abaoag 0, Macatangay 0
EAC 63 – Maguliano 16, Mendoza 15, Cadua 7, Gurtiza 5, Corilla 4, Taywan 4, Luciano 3, Carlos 3, Estacio 2, De Guzman 2, Gonzales 2
Quarterscores: 13-16, 35-33, 52-50, 69-63
