Published November 14, 2023 10:21pm
Updated November 14, 2023 10:21pm
Jose Rizal University once again showcased its composure down the stretch, going on a 14-1 closing run to secure a win against Emilio Aguinaldo College on Tuesday.
The Heavy Bombers were leading all game long but they saw the match tied up at 63-all halfway through the fourth quarter after EAC guard Joshua Tolentino drove to the basket for a layup.
But JRU refused to fold, unleashing a big run of their own, highlighted by a triple each from big man Joshua Guiab and veteran team captain Ry De La Rosa, as they closed out the game and booked their 10th win in 16 games.
JRU head coach Louie Gonzales praised his closing five of Guiab, De La Rosa, Jonathan Medina, Marwin Dionisio, and Agem Miranda. He also credited his main guard JL Delos Santos for sacrificing his minutes to let the other five finish the job for the Heavy Bombers.
“I think in the final minutes, we were able to get the best combination,” Gonzales shared.
“Actually, I salute JL kasi I asked JL kung gusto pa ba niya pumasok kasi you know that he’s my best decision-maker but as a team player, sinabi sa akin ni JL na ‘Coach maganda naman ‘yung ginagawa nila’ and let them finish.”
“So mas nakita nila na binigay ko ‘yung trust sa kanila and they rise to the challenge.”
(“Actually, I salute JL because I asked JL if he wanted to check back in the game because, you know, he’s my best decision-maker, but as a team player, JL told me, ‘Coach, they’re already playing well’ and let them finish… So they saw that I trusted them and they rose to the challenge.”)
Gonzales also has full confidence in his coaching staff, even letting first assistant coach Mixson Ramos give the instructions for much of the game.
“Kasi ayon ‘yung naging effective sa amin kasi every time na nagse-step back ako, mas nakikita ko ‘yung kabuuan,” Gonzales said.
“We need to change kung ano ‘yung magiging pattern kasi mahigpit din ‘yung rules (ng league) na isa lang ‘yung pwedeng tumayo so I let him do the reminders sa mga players then I’m the one adjusting at the back.”
(“It’s been effective for us because every time I step back, I’m able to see the bigger picture. We need to change our pattern because the rules are strict when it comes to having only one coach standing so I let him do the reminders to the players then I’m the one adjusting at the back.”)
—JMB, GMA Integrated News