MANILA, Philippines – Jose Rizal University's (JRU) up-and-down campaign in the NCAA Season 92 tournament reached a new high on Tuesday, when the Heavy Bombers overhauled a 12-point fourth quarter deficit to shoot down erstwhile undefeated San Beda College.
JRU entered their game against San Beda with a 4-4 win-loss record, and on the heels of a huge 69-89 setback at the hands of Arellano University.
The Red Lions, meanwhile, had all the momentum after beating San Sebastian College, 87-77, for their eighth consecutive victory of the tournament.
The Red Lions looked as though they were on their way to a sweep after seizing a 71-59 fourth-quarter lead, but shockingly, they scored only two more points in the final six minutes of the contest. JRU ended the game on a 20-2 run, with Paolo Pontejos and Tey Teodoro taking a starring role in the victory.
"Sa akin, nakita ko 'yung desire," JRU head coach Vergel Meneses said, when asked what made the win possible. "The past games, walang desire, especially when we played Arellano – the desire was not there, the energy was not there."
"Parang they just came here to finish the game, not to win the game," he added.
Against San Beda, however, the Heavy Bombers displayed tremendous effort on both ends of the floor. Even Teodoro and Pontejos – both players more known for their offense than their defense – did their part to limit the usually explosive Red Lions.
"Paolo and Teytey, they played together because they played defense," Meneses said. "That's why they were in the game."
It was only JRU's fourth victory of the season, and its first win over a team with a winning record. They had previously beaten De La Salle-College of St. Benilde, Emilio Aguinaldo College and San Sebastian College – all of whom were at the bottom half of the league standings.
Yet when asked if the upset win over San Beda will be the start of big things to come for the Heavy Bombers, Meneses said to ask his players.
"It's up to them," he said. "Ang trabaho lang ng coach is to coach the team, to guide them, to make the game plan, and to scout the other team."
"Sila pa rin ang makaka-sagot niyan," Meneses insisted. "If the desire is there, if they want to win."
Pontejos, who had 27 points and four wins in the victory, was similarly reluctant to make a positive prediction, only saying that they will work harder in the second round.
"Na-feel ko na ito noong Benilde eh. Zero-two kami, tapos natalo namin ang Benilde. Sabi ko, eto na, eto na 'yung team namin," said Pontejos. "Pero hopefully, sana ito na."
"San Beda ang natalo namin ngayon – unang team siguro na malakas na natalo namin ngayong first round. So balik ulit tayo sa second round," he added. "Trabaho and one game at a time lang kami."
The only sure thing is that Meneses is still far from satisfied with his team's performance.
"We have to be consistent," he said.
"Kulang pa. Alam ko, I know the capacity of the players. Alam ko 'yung galing nila, that's why I keep on telling them, that's why I keep on yelling at them. Alam ko 'yung kakayanan nila," he insisted.
JRU's 4-5 win-loss record ensures that they will finish the first round in the middle of the pack, instead of at the bottom of the league standings.
"Okay na, maganda na rin 'yung situation," Meneses said. "We'll take it one game at a time pagdating ng second round, just like what happened last year and two years ago."
Source : http://news.abs-cbn.com/
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