For the most part of the ongoing NCAA Season, Paolo Pontejos of the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers has been on and off on his production inside the court. There are games wherein he would shoot the lights and there are games wherein he couldn’t take the lid off the basket.
In the first round, Pontejos put up norms of 10.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He shot 21 percent from outside and 28 percent overall. His best game came in their match against the University of Perpetual Help Altas wherein he dropped 16 points and his least favorable game came in their season opener against the Arellano University Chiefs wherein he only scored 4 points.
However, the second round is an entirely new story for the spitfire guard. Like a man on a mission, Pontejos has been in full throttle as JRU makes a strong bid in their Final Four push. In the ongoing second round, Pontejos has upped the ante with him averaging 21.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.2 steals after six games played. He also improved his field goal shooting to 52 percent and his outside shooting to 29 percent.
“Siguro execution lang at defense namin,” Pontejos said about his team’s late second round surge. “Kaya siguro kami nakashoot on offense at kailangan din namin magstep-up.”
Also, Pontejos has shown his ability to take over games when needed. This instance was seen during JRU’s emphatic double overtime win against the Arellano University Chiefs wherein he singlehandedly kept his team at bay by nailing a lot of crucial jumpers.
And recently, Pontejos once again rose up to the challenge in their team’s latest win against the top-seeded Letran Knights. In their payback win against Letran, Pontejos nailed a pair of crucial three-pointers in the fourth quarter to halt the opposition’s furious end-game rally. He finished the game with 21 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists.
“Noong first round siguro, more on being a decoy ako,” he added. “So ngayon kailangan na namin talaga manalo at kailangan ko na rin magstep-up para sa team.”
Now, with six teams in a tight race in getting their slots for the Final Four, Pontejos and the gritty Heavy Bombers hope to win its remaining games and hope for the best. JRU is currently at sixth place in the standings with a 9-6 card while Mapua and Arellano only have a one game advantage with both teams sporting 10-5 records.
“Actually hindi ko naisip ang talo namin [against Letran] noong first round,” Pontejos ended. “Iniisip ko ang standing namin ngayon kasi delikado kami [na hindi makapasok] sa Final Four. So, sinusubukan pa rin namin makapunta doon.”
For their next game, JRU will once again have another tough opponent in their hands as they are set to face the University of Perpetual Help Altas this coming September 25, 2:00 pm, at the Filoil Flying V Arena.
