Prior to this game, Teytey Teodoro averaged just 8.5 points per game.
Friday afternoon, the Smart Elite ambassador exploded for 25 huge points, 16 in the final quarter, to quell Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Pirates’ attempt to comeback and lead the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers to its third win 75-60.
The Heavy Bombers started off hot shooting from downtown in scoring their first six points from downtown. After a three pointer by Teodoro, he followed with up with a pull-up jumper to give Jose Rizal an early 8-0 lead. To lead went up to as high as 12-0 due to the constant turnovers committed by Lyceum with 6:53 to go in the opening quarter. After a timeout, Victor Nguidjol, returning from a suspension, managed to give the Pirates its first field goal of the quarter. Great ball movement and pressing defense led to the Heavy Bombers limiting Lyceum to just ten points in the quarter, on just two field goals, while scoring 21 points to gain an early 11 point lead.
Jose Rizal was able to extend their lead to a game-high 34-21 behind the hot shooting of Paolo Pontejos. Pontejos scored eight points in that stretch capped by a buzzer beating three at the 4:49 mark. However, the Topex Robinson-mentored squad changed their gameplan in attacking the paint resulting to fouls. Nguidjol and Joseph Gabayni pounded the paint and, later on, Guy Mbida also joined in. Lyceum was able to make a 12-5 rally to close the first half to cut the lead to just eight, 37-29.
During the half, Jose Rizal committed just three turnovers while forcing 10 enroute to 12 turnover points. Lyceum was able to cut the lead in converting on ten free throws from the 13 fouls committed by the Heavy Bombers.
The Pirates continued to send the ball inside to Gabayni to open the second half resulting to fouls. Lyceum, however, could not string a rally as Teodoro continued to blitz their defense. Moreover, the larger frontline of Lyceum could not seal out the foreign student-athletes of Jose Rizal, Abdel Poutouochi and Abdulwahab Abdulrazak. A three-pointer by Mark Dela Virgen and a layup by Poutouochi ended the third canto giving JRU a 50-40 lead.
With 6:04 to go and the Heavy Bombers clinging to just a six point lead 57-51, former Fatima stalwart Tey Teodoro converted on a three-point play to extend the lead to nine. Teodoro then exploded in scoring 12 straight points to bury any hopes of a Lyceum-comeback. The 15 point fourth quarter Teodoro explosion was capped by a highlight stepback three pointer over Shaq Alanes with 1:53 remaining. Teodoro then assisted on a cutting Mark Cruz to seal the game with 1:06 remaining and a score of 75-60.
“Finally, nandiyan na yung energy,” a relieved Coach Vergel Meneses said after the game. “Maganda ang ball movement namin pero nandiyan pa rin yung fouls.”
On Teodoro’s performance, Coach Meneses told us that Teodoro never lost his confidence even after having a string of bad performances. “Ang okay kay Teytey [Teodoro] is he listens. He is willing to learn.”
The Heavy Bombers were led by the 25 points of Teodoro on 8/20 shooting. Teodoro was able to convert on four shots from downtown while also grabbing seven rebounds, dishing out four assists, and stealing the ball twice. All but one of the Heavy Bombers fielded were able to score in the game.
For Lyceum, Smart Elite ambassador Joseph Gabayni was able to put up 15 markers, seven coming from the charity stripe. Foreign student-athlete Victor Nguidjol had 13 points as well.
As a team, both teams committed 18 turnovers each but the Heavy Bombers were able to take advantage of their opponent’s errors with 21 turnover points. In addition, Jose Rizal was able to knock down a total of nine threes in the game compared to just one by Lyceum.
The JRU Heavy Bombers (3-2) will next face the CSB Blazers (1-4) on Tuesday, July 28 at 2:00pm while the LPU Pirates (1-4) will have the MIT Cardinals (2-3) in their next assignment on Friday, July 31 at 2:00pm.
The Scores:
JRU (75) – Teodoro 25, Pontejos 10, Dela Virgen 9, Poutouochi 6, Astilla 5, Estrella 5, Cruz 4, Dela Paz 3, Lasquety 2, Abdulwahab 2, Balagtas 2, Grospe 2, Sanchez 0.
LPU (60) – Gabayni 15, Nguidjol 13, Alanes 10, Mbida 7, Baltazar 4, Lugo 4, Taladua 3, Soliman 2, Ayaay 2, Malabanan 0, Marata 0, Lacastesantos 0, Bulawan 0.
Quarterscores: 21-10, 37-29, 50-40, 75-60.
