JRU bounces back to keep solo third, hands Letran third straight loss

After figuring in a classic double overtime loss to the Arellano Chiefs last Thursday, the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers bounced back in impressive fashion, taking a 77-68 win over the skidding Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, Thursday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

“Tingin ko yung character… character ng team coming from a heartbreaking loss against a won ball game against Arellano. Importante how we bounce back from that,” said JRU head coach Vergel Meneses.

With the win, JRU lifted their card to 7-4, keeping hold of third place, while Letran dropped out of the top four with a 5-6 slate. Moreover, this is the Knights’ third straight loss.

Behind Teytey Teodoro, the Heavy Bombers surged ahead from the Knights during the second frame. Teodoro scored eight of his 15 points in the quarter.

But as JRU pushed the pedal, Letran lagged behind, falling by as much as 16 points, 64-48, after an MJ Dela Virgen basket with 7:34 remaining in the game. The Knights’ bench did not showed up, as JP Calvo, Rey Nambatac, and Bong Quinto once again carried the scoring load for the Letran.

“At the start of the game kanina sabi ko sa kanila, it’s a high-scoring ball game last time. We gave up a 100-plus points against Arellano,” Meneses revealed. “I think prior to that game we’re number on defense ata. We’ve been giving up 62, correct me if I’m wrong, 62 points per game. We’re winning because of that.”

Letran could only manage to cut the lead to as low as eight points the rest of the way.

Ervin Grospe finished 15 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while Jed Mendoza added 11 points and seven rebounds. Abdulwahab Abdulrazak hauled down 14 rebounds for JRU as well.

Calvo paced Letran with a game-high 21 points. Nambatac chipped in 14 markers, while Quinto tallied a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.

However, Letran’s bench finished with just 25 points, proving to be the downfall of the Knights in this game.

JRU will next face the EAC Generals on Tuesday, September 19 at 2:00pm. Letran, on the other hand, look to snap out of their losing streak on the same day against the Arellano Chiefs at 4:00pm.

The Scores:

JRU 77 – Grospe 15, Teodoro 15, Mendoza 11, Dela Virgen 10, Lasquety 9, Poutouochi 7, Abdulrazak 6, Sawat 4, Bordon 0, David 0.

CSJL 68 – Calvo 21, Nambatac 14, Quinto 12, Balanza 11, Mandreza 6, De Villa 2, Vacaro 2, Balagasay 0, Bernabe 0, Caralipio 0, Gedaria 0, Pamulaklakin 0, Pascual 0, Taladua 0.

Quarterscores: 12-12, 36-27, 58-45, 77-68.