By: Jerod Orcullo
For Nani Epondulan, taking the reins as Jose Rizal University’s head coach wasn’t just a race against time — it was a battle against setbacks.
Named head coach of the Light Bombers just two weeks before the NCAA Season 100 Juniors’ Basketball Tournament, Epondulan’s preparations were thrown into chaos when a chickenpox outbreak sidelined several key players.
With barely any practice time and an opening-day defeat to Arellano, 85-69, adding to the challenge, JRU’s campaign seemed off to a rough start.
But on Wednesday, the Light Bombers turned the tide, grinding out a 67-64 victory over Lyceum of the Philippines University at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan — Epondulan’s first win at the helm.
“Mahirap, nangangapa yung bata sa’kin, nangangapa ako sa mga players, so very challenging for us,” Epondulan admitted.
The former NCAA Season 77 MVP and JRU standout was officially appointed head coach on January 29, giving him only a short window to instill his system.
To bridge the gap, he turned to his veterans — James Almario, Lee Marin, and AJ Lacusong — not just to lead by example but to set the tone for the entire squad.
“Siyempre yung expectation natin medyo mataas talaga eh, kasi sila yung last year. So far naman yung leadership role, yung effort, at tsaka yung energy, sabi ko sa kanila, sa kanila dapat manggaling. So far nagagawa naman nila,” he said.
Epondulan’s trust in his players was evident in their performance against LPU. Almario spearheaded the charge with 16 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals, while Marin and Lacusong contributed 12 points each.
Yet, beyond the late coaching change, JRU’s early struggles extended to off-court challenges. Epondulan revealed that his first practice session was immediately followed by an outbreak of chickenpox within the team, further hampering their already limited preparation.
“Two weeks before opening, first practice ko, the following day ‘di na pinagre-report yung mga bata kasi nga may chickenpox. Yung iba diyan kagagaling lang, yung isa meron pa, naka-isolate pa, tapos yung isa kahapon lang nakabalik,” he shared.
Despite these obstacles, Epondulan remains focused on shifting the culture of a Light Bombers team that finished Season 99 in eighth place with a 3-6 record.
“Yung sinasabi ko nga sa kanila, we play possession per possession. So at least kung ang goal namin ay ipanalo every possession, mas malaki yung chance na by the end of the game, kami ang mananalo,” he emphasized.
JRU’s next challenge looms large, as they face defending champion Letran Squires this Sunday at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Gym in Manila.
