After suffering back-to-back defeats at the hands of EAC and San Beda, the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers bounced back with an emphatic 33-point beating of the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas, 85-52, Friday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The win momentarily broke JRU’s tie with San Sebastian in the standings, as they gain solo third with an 8-6 slate. Perpetual, on the other hand, dropped their third straight to fall to 4-9.
Needing to bounce back, the Heavy Bombers zoned in on the defensive end, limiting Perpetual to just nine points in the first 16 minutes of game time.
“It’s our defense ang nag-carry sa amin kanina. Good defense, naging good offense,” said JRU head coach Vergel Meneses as the Heavy Bombers carried an imposing 39-15 lead at the half.
“Actually sa game na ito naging importante yung start talaga. Finufrustrate mo yung kalaban, keep on frustrating them, importante we finish strong,” Meneses pointed out.
Behind Cameroonian student-athlete Abdoul Poutouochi and sophomore guard MJ dela Virgen, the Heavy Bombers continued to push the pedal in the second half, leading by as many as 35 points, 83-48, in the waning moments of the contest.
Dela Virgen powered JRU with 18 points to go along with eight assists while commiting no turnovers. Poutouochi added 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting to go along with eight rebounds, while Jed Mendoza chipped in 12 markers after playing a team-high 29 minutes.
Even with the win that has given them a cushion in the Final Four race, Meneses insists that they cannot let their guards down even with just four games remaining on their slate.
“We have to stay focused, we’re not yet in, anything can happen, every game counts,” emphasized the PBA legend. “We can’t be complacent.”
Leading MVP candidate Prince Eze was the only Altas student-athlete who came out to play, tallying 23 points, 20 rebounds, and three blocks. The rest of Perpetual shot a combined 12-for-45 from the field.
JRU take on the Saint Benilde Blazers next on Tuesday, October 3, at 4:00pm. Perpetual face the San Beda Red Lions on the same day at 2:00pm.
The Scores:
JRU 85 – Dela Virgen 18, Poutouochi 16, Mendoza 12, Grospe 8, David 8, Teodoro 8, Lasquety 6, Abdul Razak 5, Bordon 2, Mariano 2, Mate 0, Pontejos 0, Sibangan 0, Sawat 0.
UPHSD 52 – Eze 23, Pido 8, Sadiwa 8, Tamayo 3, Mangalino 3, Hao 3, Coronel 2, Ylagan 2, Dagangon 0, Casas 0, Clemente 0, Singontiko 0, Yuhico 0, Lucente 0
Quarterscores: 17-5, 39-15, 64-39, 85-52
