“Ilagay niyo sa headline, ‘Attitude. ‘Yung mga players ko, walang pride.'”
Those were the only words uttered by JRU head coach Vergel Meneses as the Heavy Bombers suffered its second straight setback in the early-goings of the 92nd season of the NCAA.
After dropping a close encounter to the Mapua Cardinals in their season opener, the Heavy Bombers were picked apart in the paint as the Perpetual Altas outrebounded (41-32) and pounded (32 inside points) the Shaw Boulevard-based squad.
Tey Teodoro was the only Heavy Bomber in double-figures in the game with 24 markers – 48 percent of JRU’s total output. Teodoro shared that coach Meneses was furious at his players during their post-game huddle.
“Sana man lang naka-isa,” Teodoro said with regret. “Nakaka-frustrate lang yung game namin ngayon. Sobrang galit na sa amin ni coach Vergel kasi hindi nya expected ito.”According to the 22 year old gunslinger, the PBA legend was particularly irked by the lack of effort by foreign student-athletes Abdulrazak Abdulwahab and Abdoul Poutouochi. The two combined for just 11 rebounds while allowing an injured Bright Akhuetie to score 19 points and grab eight rebounds.
“Nakayuko na lang kami lahat. Galit na galit pa siya sa import namin,” Teodoro furthered. “Si Bright injured na pero sya pa rin yung dahilan kung bakit kami natalo.”Being one of the team’s leaders, Teodoro understands where his mentor’s frustration is coming from. “Hindi niya lang in-expect na mangyayari yun sa loob,” he explained. “Kaya naman sya nagagalit sa amin kasi may dahilan.”
Moreover, he is hoping that he and his team bounce back the rest of the way. “Mahirap maghabol, lalo na sa second round,” he closed. “Kailangan pumunto talaga kami. Parang last year na naman, galing kami sa baba.”