Experiencing an up-and-down ride in their NCAA campaign so far, the JRU Heavy Bombers are slowly gaining traction after winning their last two games.
For the team to find success come the latter stages of the season, combo guard Tey Teodoro’s leadership is a must.
The timing couldn’t be better as Teodoro finally had his breakout game after JRU nailed a morale-boosting win against the LPU Pirates last Friday, 75-60, to gain a 3-2 card in the standings.
In that game, Teodoro dropped 25 points, including four triples, and a huge 16-point fourth quarter explosion, seven rebounds, and four assists. Prior to that game, Teodoro only scored 8.5 points per game and often looked lost in the flow of things.
“Kinausap ako ni coach doon sa apat na games namin na parang hindi pa iyon ang hinahanap niya sa akin na laro. Itong game na ito, nag-double effort talaga para manalo kami at nasa gitna pa lang kasi kami ng standing,” Teodoro told Tiebreaker Times. “Ang target namin is to get to the Final Four kaya ngayong first round pa lang, kailangan na namin pumukpok.”
Now, Teodoro must find ways to sustain his current play, particularly on his shooting and off-ball movement, to give JRU better chances of winning when he is fully engaged. With defenders collapsing on Center Abdel Poutouochi most of the time, Teodoro will always get a ton of open looks which he can capitalize on.
“[I think I need to work] more on shooting tapos [more consistency in navigating sa] mga staggered pick. Doon kasi ako nilalagay lagi ni coach, mga patisod na tira kaya nag-extra practice kami.”
Other than that, he must also sustain his effectiveness on defense for him to become a two-way threat for opposing teams. Teodoro managed to chalk up 2 steals and only committed one turnover in their win against LPU.
“Siyempre, una depensa talaga muna ako sabi ni Coach Vergel. Defense na lang muna ako magfocus and ang offense ko to follow,” the Smart Elite ambassador added. “Noong fourth quarter, noong nakakashoot na ako, naramdaman ko iyon na sunod-sunod na.”
Teodoro’s rediscovered play will now be tested in their next match as they are set to take on the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde Blazers today, 2:00 pm, at the Filoil Flying V Arena.
“Basta kami sunod lang kami sa instruction ni Coach Vergel. Kung ano ang sasabihin, iyon ang ilalaro namin,” he ended. “Kung ano naman ang game plan niya sa Benilde, iyon ang gagawin namin.”
