Since taking over the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers back in 2009, Vergel Meneses has always preached the importance of defense. This mindset has helped the Heavy Bombers gain Final Four berths in four of the last six seasons; they barely missed the post-season back in Season 88.
This season, with an almost intact lineup, the Heavy Bombers sit at the bottom end of the standing with a 3-5 record and one game to go in the first round – against the 8-0 San Beda College Red Lions.
Friday afternoon, the Heavy Bombers were greatly exposed on both ends of the court by the Arellano Chiefs. The Chiefs ran past the lackadaisical Heavy Bombers squad that came out of the game, scoring 27 fastbreak points en route to an 89-69 rout.
Kraniel Villoria scored a season-high 9 points in Arellano’s win
“Kung ano yung gameplan ko at gagawin nila, it’s all in the board,” coach Vergel Meneses shared after the Heavy Bombers absorbed their fifth loss of the season. “Binilugan ko lahat sa kanila after the first half. Kung ano yung nasa board na offensive plans, yun ang ginawa nila lahat.”
“But yung pride, depensa, yung puso sa depensa wala.”
A coach can only do so much to prepare his troops pre-game. The 47-year-old mentor himself is perplexed with the performance of his team come game time after constantly briefing and preparing them days before game day.
“Minsan di ko na alam din,” the Aerial Voyager said. “Kahit na-figure out na namin kung ano yung problema, I just keep quiet and let them think.”
Last season, the Heavy Bombers finished the first round with a 5-4 slate, dropping close games, before going on a heater in the second round to gain a final four spot.
Tey Teodoro was just 1-for-10 from the field, forcing shots against the Chiefs
“Ang layo sa last year. Compared sa last year, kahit slow start kami, ang talo namin di ganito. Laging dikit,” Meneses furthered.
“Ito ang sama eh. Won ballgame, at the end, lamang na ang kalaban ng malaki.”
With 10 games still left in the season, Meneses is not giving up hope. However, he said that for a turnaround to happen, the change has to start from the players themselves.
“It’s up to them if they want to play or not. It’s fine with me. Wala namang mawawala sa akin kung ayaw nila maglaro, di kami magaaway-away. Sabi ko sa kanila, una pa lang, sabihin na nila para di na rin ako napapagod.
“Gagawin ko trabaho ko, pero gawin din nila ang trabaho nila,” he closed.
