Teytey Teodoro and the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers bounced back from a horrible opening day outing last Tuesday, taking a dominant 68-54 win against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas, Friday afternoon in the Filoil Flying V Centre.
“It’s a good sign. Kumbaga bumalik yung team namin. I challenged them na just think about this, think about why we were successful dun sa preseason sa Filoil,” said head coach Vergel Meneses.
After being limited to just 13 points against the Lyceum Pirates, Teodoro regained his form, scoring a season-high 26 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
“Siguro nag double effort lang ako ngayon. Kasi nung kaming mga beterano, disappointed kami nung first game. Parang di kami mga beterano naglaro noon. Kaya ngayon, first quarter palang naging aggressive na ako,” the fourth-year guard said even after fouling out with 1:38 left.
With Perpetual cutting JRU’s lead to just five points, 52-47, with 6:48 left after a Gab Dagangon jumper, Teodoro sparked a game-breaking 14-5 rally to put the Heavy Bombers away for good. Teodoro knocked down two triples in the rally while Abdoul Poutuouchi capped the rally with two stabs underneath to give JRU a game-high 14 point lead, 66-52. with 2:05 remaining.
Poutuouchi supported him with 13 points and seven rebounds while playing assistant coach Gio Lasquety chipped in 11 markers.
In their last game, Meneses lamented how his team played disheartened but is now delighted with how his team performed.
“Di ko nakita ang tunay na JRU [versus LPU]. Ngayon, nanghiram siguro kami ng puso. Pero that’s the way we play. Yun ang totoong JRU na nakita ko,” the PBA legend said. “We’re passing the ball, we’re looking for the open man, we look for mismatches.”
JRU shot an excellent 49 percent from the field compared to just 32 percent for Perpetual.
GJ Ylagan paced the Altas with 12 points and three rebounds while Nigerian student-athlete Prince Eze contributed 12 points and 16 rebounds.
JRU will face Arellano University next on July 18 in the Filoil Flying V Centre. Perpetual is still winless out of two outings after their win against Saint Benilde was forfeited due to jersey mix up. They will play an away game against the Mapua University Cardinals next on July 20. By: Danine Cruz
The Scores:
JRU (68) – Teodoro 26, Poutuouchi 13, Lasquety 11, Grospe 8, Mendoza 4, Castor 4, Abdul Razak 2, Dela Virgen 0, David 0.
UPHSD (54) – Ylagan 12, Eze 12, Dagangon 9, Sadiwa 6, Pido 5, Coronel 3, Yuhico 3, Tamayo 3, Mangalino 1, Singontiko 0, Casas 0, Lucente 0, Clemente 0.
Quarterscores: 15-18, 39-30, 50-40, 68-54.
