Although the chances of making the NCAA Season 91 playoffs remain slim for the JRU Heavy Bombers, head coach Vergel Meneses is not losing hope, and is focused on taking it step by step.
Last season’s third placers are now in a peculiar position. After starting the second round sitting in the top four, the Heavy Bombers dropped two close games to the San Beda Red Lions and the Mapua Cardinals that sent them down to sixth at 8-6.
“May pag-asa pa. Medyo lumilinaw pero we have to win more games. I know it will be very hard for us but lagi naman, ang JRU lagi naman nasa situation na ganyan so one game at a time,” Meneses said after the Heavy Bombers edged the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 73-69.
“We try to win the next game then isipin ang susunod.”
At 8-6, the Heavy Bombers are in 6th place behind Mapua, San Beda, Perpetual, Arellano, and Letran.
Meneses reminded his troops not to give in to the pressure and instead play one game at a time, not minding the Final Four that much.
“Ang sinasabi ko sa kanila, kung gusto nila maglaro, okay. Kung hindi, okay lang din. Kumbaga, hindi ko kailangang i-pressure sila. The more I put pressure on them, for sure mas hindi kakayanin ng bata,” he relayed.
Meneses knows JRU still holds their fate and he wants the boys to strive hard in their remaining games.
The mentor spoke highly of the Letran Knights, the team’s next opponent and adds they have to work the same way if they want to stay in the hunt.
“We will try to win against them. They are playing very organized basketball. The players are willing to sacrifice and follow their coaches,” he said.
“We are in a different situation now so let’s try to win. We work hard and try to win. Kung matalo tayo, it’s fine.”
