With the fourth spot in the standings hanging in the balance, Jose Rizal University kept Emilio Aguinaldo College at bay after a 77-64 victory in the second round of the NCAA Season 99 Seniors Basketball on Tuesday at the Filoil Ecooil Centre.
EAC was closing in on the Heavy Bombers in the standings as the two squads were separated by just one game in the win-loss record, but JRU’s triumph gave it a much-needed cushion to separate themselves from the Generals in the final four race.
With so much on the line, head coach Louie Gonzalez shared that he and the coaching staff worked extra to try and alleviate the pressures from his squad before the game.
“Sa totoo lang going into the game iniisip ko paano alisin sa players ko yung sitwasyon namin if we lose or if we win. Ang naging direction na lang namin, let’s just do the best doon sa bagay na kontrolado namin, which is our defense, our brand of game, at pangalawa, yung ball movement namin,” explained Gonzalez.
Gonzalez’s efforts to compose his players worked wonders as the Heavy Bombers looked unfazed by the limelights, controlling the lead for the entire match and fending off any attempt from the Generals to make a comeback.
In the fourth quarter, the Heavy Bombers found their lead dissipated after a layup from Joshua Tolentino that tied the match 63-63 with 6:41 left on the clock.
With momentum seemingly in EAC’s favor, JRU responded by ending the game on a monumental 14-1 run. It bombarded the Generals with explosive offense on one end and suffocating defense on the other to put an end to the match, 77-64.
Though Gonzalez praised the effort of his squad to end the game strong, the veteran coach gave a large chunk of the credit to JL Delos Santos, who chose to sit out the fourth quarter to let the rest of JRU continue its run.
“In the final minutes we were able to get the best combination. I salute JL because I asked JL, ‘gusto mo pa ba pumasok?’. He’s my best decision maker, but then again as a team player sinabi niya ‘coach maganda naman ginagawa nila, let them finish’. Mas nabuo na nakita nila na it’s them, na binigay ko yung trust sa kanila to rise to the challenge, and nagrise sila doon, binalik nila yung tiwala na binigay ko,” Gonzalez shared.
Delos Santos once again shined as an all-around playmaker, dropping seven points, four rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and three blocks.
Marwin Dionisio stood out among the Heavy Bombers, scoring a game-high 16 points and grabbing eight boards, along with two assists and one steal, showing out after turning 24 years old on Monday.
Also celebrating his birthday was Jonathan Medina, who had one of his best games in the season with 11 points, six rebounds, and two assists.
Both Joshua Guiab and Vince Sarmiento had double-doubles in the frontcourt, with Guiab finishing with 11 points and 11 boards, while Sarmiento added 10 points and 10 rebounds.
JRU climbed up to a 10-6 record, enhancing its control over the fourth spot and closing in on Benilde’s spot at third in the standings. Their next match will be against San Beda University, also in the mix for a final four position, on Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
Nat Cosejo and JP Maguliano led the way for the Generals, each dropping 12 points. King Gurtiza followed suit with 11 points off the bench.
The Generals dropped to an 8-8 record and fell to the seventh spot in the standings. They have a matchup against the streaking University of Perpetual Help System DALTA awaiting them on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
The Scores:
JRU 77- Dionisio 16, Medina 11, Guiab 11, Sarmiento 10, Miranda 8, Delos Santos 7, Dela Rosa 6, Pabilo 5, Arenal 2, De Leon 1, Argente 0, Ramos 0, Sy 0
EAC 64- Cosejo 12, Maguliano 12, Gurtiza 11, Luciano 6, Tolentino 6, Angeles 5, Robin 4, Quinal 3, Loristo 2, Umpad 1, Bacud 0, Cosa 0
Quarterscores: 25-23, 42-39, 59-57, 77-64
