Big game players make the big time shots.
Tey Teodoro knocked down a game-winning pull-up jumper with 5.3 seconds remaining to lift the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, 60-59, over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals to return to the win column Thursday afternoon at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Tey Teodoro led JRU with 21 markers, 13 in the first quarter. He was 8-for-20 from the field and was able to successfully steal the ball thrice. Moreover, he made the big time shot to give the Heavy Bombers the win.
However, Heavy Bombers head coach Vergel Meneses was disappointed with the way his team played in the last three quarters of the game.
“Wala akong nakitang positive [with] the way we played today,” Meneses said. “Honestly, wala akong nakitang positive.”
The Generals bucked a slow start to eventually take over in the second frame for a 30-29 halftime lead. However, behind Teodoro and Mark Cruz, the Heavy Bombers were able to regain the lead 45-44 entering the final frame.
“Kulang yung effort at attitude. Sila yun e. Hindi ko matuturo lahat,” the PBA legend rued. “Yung big man nila, si Laminou, eight blocks. Isang shot fake lang nahuhuli na.”
With the game tied at 49-all splits from the stripe by Onwubere and Hamadou Laminou and two charities by Justin Serrano, subbing in for Onwubere, gave EAC a 53-49 edge with 2:58 left in the game.
However, the Generals could not get the rebounds as putback by Jordan dela Paz and Abdoul Poutouochi in back-to-back possessions tied the game once more with a couple of minutes remaining. This forced EAC head coach Ariel Sison to bring Onwubere back into the game.
A miss by Francis Munsayac from downtown led to a tip-in by Onwubere but was answered right back by a Teodoro triple to give JRU a 56-55 lead with 1:24 left. Onwubere though went down again 10 seconds later after driving through the lane to get a foul from a JRU player. Serrano connected on both freebies to return the lead to the EAC-side.
A costly turnover by Munsayac two possessions later paved the way for free throws by Ervin Grospe with 46.2 left gave JRU the lead. The Generals though received a lucky break that saw a video review helped them keep possessions that nullified the earlier out of bounds call on Onwubere with 15.3 seconds remaining.
In the ensuing play, Onwubere made a hand off to Munsayac who knocked down a jumper with 11.1 seconds remaining. Off a timeout, Teodoro made a quick decision to drive to the lane and go for a pull-up jumper over the outstretched arms of Munsayac. The shot went in but there was still 5.3 remaining. Munsayac then threw a hail Mary three that went short as the time expired.
“Sabi ko nga sa inyo, we are still not in the level of Mapua, San Beda,” Meneses continued. “Ibig sabihin nandun talaga kami sa baba.”
Mark Cruz was the only other Heavy Bomber in double-figures with 14 points. Jordan Dela Paz, Poutouochi, and Abdulwahab Abdulrazak all grabbed double-digits rebounds.
Onwubere paced the Generals with a double-double with 18 points and 19 rebounds. Laminou flirted with a triple-double with 14 points, 14 rebounds, and eight blocks.
The Heavy Bombers (2-3) will have a week off before facing the Letran Knights on Thursday, July 28 at 2:00pm. The Generals (1-4) look to finally end their end game woes on Tuesday, July 19 against the Arellano Chiefs.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, ‘sa Huwebes na lang tayo magkikita. Sayang lang practice e,'” Meneses closed.
The Scores:
JRU (60) – Teodoro 21, Cruz 14, Grospe 6, Dela Paz 5, Poutouchi 4, Abdul Wahab 4, Lasquety 2, Mendoza 2, Evardo 2, Dela Virgen 0, Astilla 0, Pontejos 0
EAC (59) – Onwubere 18, Laminou 14, King 7, Serrano 7, Guzman 6, Munsayac 4, Morada 3, Pascua 0, Diego 0, Corilla 0, Mendoza 0
Quarterscores: 19-10, 29-30, 45-44, 60-59
