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Back-to-back threes from Ry Dela Rosa in the dying minutes of the game gave Jose Rizal University enough of an advantage to avoid an upset against Jade Talampas and Arellano University after a scrappy 79-74 battle in the NCAA Season 99 Seniors Basketball Tournament on Sunday at the Filoil Ecooil Centre.
Former teammates as San Beda Red Cubs, both Dela Rosa and Talampas were coming off close wins that resulted from their clutch shooting, and the two delivered again in the clutch on Sunday, with Dela Rosa coming out on top.
For head coach Louie Gonzalez, Dela Rosa’s heroics were the result of his squad’s team effort during the clutch moments as they stayed together as a group.
“We rely on each other. With Ry, he’s just a by-product of what we’ve been doing. He always gives credit to his teammates for sacrificing to create open shots for him. Fortunately, the most crucial shot, Ry’s back-to-back three-pointer, saved the day for JRU,” said Gonzalez.
With the Heavy Bombers positioning to regain the lead from Arellano in the fourth quarter, Jade Talampas stepped in with a potential dagger three-pointer that gave the Chiefs a 74-70 cushion and shifted the momentum with just 3:33 left in the game.
As JRU grew desperate for someone to jumpstart their offense, Dela Rosa stepped up to outdo Talampas with back-to-back triples, stealing a 76-74 lead from Arellano.
Talampas’ three-point attempt on the next possession fell short, and Jonathan Medina broke away with a layup on the other end to seal the victory as JRU pulled away 79-74.
Despite the significant win, Gonzalez continued to challenge his squad by asking them to move forward from this game not just as individuals but to grow as part of the team.
“My challenge to the team right now is to see them as a team. We started as individuals, and they have grown. With Patrick Ramos and Jonathan Medina back, for us to strengthen our campaign this season, I want to see them grow as a team,” shared Gonzalez.
Dela Rosa finished with 12 points, including three triples, while Medina led JRU in scoring with 16 points and eight boards.
Patrick Ramos contributed 15 points off the bench for the Heavy Bombers, and Joshua Guiab finished the game with an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double.
The Chiefs focused their defense on Agem Miranda all morning, JRU’s leading scorer for the season, who finished with just 6 points on 2/10 shooting.
The Heavy Bombers improved to an 8-4 win-loss record in the NCAA season after their hard-fought victory, moving up to third in the standings. They will face the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA after a short break on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
Talampas ended with a game-high 19 points, while Troy Valencia added 16 of his own. Lorenz Capulong and Danielle Mallari both flirted with a double-double, with Capulong finishing with 11 points and nine boards, and Mallari recording 10 points and nine boards.
The Chiefs were unable to secure another upset, falling to a 2-9 record. They look ahead to their game against the College of Saint Benilde, also on Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
The Scores:
JRU 79 – Medina 16, Ramos 15, Dela Rosa 12, Guiab 11, De Leon 7, Miranda 6, Sarmiento 4, Delos Santos 2, Pabico 2, Argente 2, Sy 2, Arenal 0, Barrera 0
Arellano 74 – Talampas 19, Valencia 16, Capulong 11, Mallari 10, Geronimo 4, Ongotan 4, Villarente 2, Sunga 2, Yanes 2, Dayrit 2, Dela Cruz 2
Quarterscores: 16-22, 41-42, 62-62, 79-74
