For true shooters, one game is all it takes to break out of their slumps and torch any opponent daring to stand in their way. That game came for Ry Dela Rosa during Jose Rizal University’s 79-72 revenge match against San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
Dela Rosa had missed most of the first round due to illness, including the 59-72 upset loss against Baste in the first round. The sharpshooting captain of the Heavy Bombers was only in his third game back playing with JRU and was still trying to find his rhythm.
Even with just three games under his belt, Dela Rosa caught fire against the Stags, scoring 19 points and sinking six three-pointers, including the dagger that stopped a late rally from Baste.
“I can only say that the trust the coaches and my teammates have in me is what drives me. They know I just got back, so they’re not rushing me; they let me play my game, and that’s pretty much it. I’m just giving back the trust they’ve placed in me,” said Dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa alone hit more three-pointers than the entire JRU squad had in their first game against Baste. Their cold-shooting night was a significant factor in their defeat.
“After looking at our stat sheet from the first-round game where we went 4/39, it was a surprise to see how off we were. Shooting is something I love doing, it’s my role on the team, so I’m glad I was able to come back and show what I’m capable of doing,” explained Dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa played 22 minutes and 46 seconds, more than his first two games combined after coming back from injury, a positive sign that JRU’s veteran marksman is finding his groove again.
The timing of JRU captain’s return to form couldn’t be better, as their next matchup is against Arellano University, whose own senior sharpshooter is coming off a lights-out performance of his own.
Just hours before Dela Rosa scorched the nets, the Chiefs’ Jade Talampas led Arellano to a massive upset over fellow championship contender San Beda University after sinking three straight three-pointers in the final seconds, including the game-winner that secured Arellano’s 74-72 victory.
Talampas finished with 18 points and four triples overall, as the San Beda defense had no answers for him.
With the Final Four race as tight as it is, Dela Rosa is well aware of the stakes in his matchup against Talampas, and he knows just how good the Chiefs’ leading scorer is. After all, the two were raised and trained in the same high school and were teammates at San Beda-Taytay under the mentorship of the late Ato Badolato.
“That’s my boy Jade; we went to high school together. It was nice seeing him catch fire in the earlier game. But it’s not just him; it’s the whole team we have to look out for. We need to prepare well for the next game,” Dela Rosa shared as he faces off with his good pal for one last time in the collegiate level.
Head coach Louie Gonzalez echoed Dela Rosa’s sentiments and is preparing for a tough challenge against Arellano.
“It’s very important that we were able to get the win today because Arellano’s performance in that first game was no joke. Coach Chico is a good coach; he’s just waiting for the right time for everything to click,” said Gonzalez.
With Dela Rosa and Talampas coming off some of the best performances of their season, the former teammates turned rival snipers are set to find out which one has the hotter hand on Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
