'Rookie-filled' Bombers
Jose Rizal University Coach Vergel Meneses admitted that his rookie-filled roster is still
adjusting to his system early in the 89th National Collegiate Athletic
Association (NCAA) season.
"We are still building our character since my team has 11 rookies. Even though some of them are in their early 20s, I still consider them rookies for they're not that experienced," said Meneses.
"But as long as they play and embrace my system, we won't encounter any problems this season," added the former Philippine Basketball Association cage great, on the eve of their scheduled 4 p.m. Monday match against Emilio Aguinaldo College at The Arena in San Juan City.
JRU opened with a 69-61 win over Mapua last month but the Heavy Bombers’ inexperience showed, especially in the end game, in their last three matches.
The Heavy Bombers lost two nearly-won contests—against University of Perpetual Help, 70-78, and in overtime opposite league-leading Letran, 66-69—then needed an extra five minutes before frustrating season host College of Saint Benilde, 73-71.
Against St. Benilde, JRU was up 61-47 with nearly three minutes gone in the final period but allowed the Blazers to score 14 straight points to force the overtime.
And Meneses does not want his players to get accustomed to that kind of attitude when they face the Generals on Monday—the same play date where defending champion San Beda will take on a skidding Mapua side at 6 p.m.
"When we’re up, they played as if just to protect the lead. They play relaxed basketball. That’s why I always remind them to play smarter na kahit lamang kami ng malaki we still need to attack the basket,” Meneses said.
The Generals, after losing two straight, finally found the confidence to win following a 73-72 decision over the Blazers and then held their own against defending champion San Beda Red Lions before collapsing in the fourth period in a 65-80 loss.
"We have to be ready against EAC. Napanood ko sila on how they hustle. And we’re the smaller team against them, lalo na at nanduon si [Noube] Happi. Plus, we also need to stop [John] Tayongtong and [Jan] Jamon,” added Meneses.
"We are still building our character since my team has 11 rookies. Even though some of them are in their early 20s, I still consider them rookies for they're not that experienced," said Meneses.
"But as long as they play and embrace my system, we won't encounter any problems this season," added the former Philippine Basketball Association cage great, on the eve of their scheduled 4 p.m. Monday match against Emilio Aguinaldo College at The Arena in San Juan City.
JRU opened with a 69-61 win over Mapua last month but the Heavy Bombers’ inexperience showed, especially in the end game, in their last three matches.
The Heavy Bombers lost two nearly-won contests—against University of Perpetual Help, 70-78, and in overtime opposite league-leading Letran, 66-69—then needed an extra five minutes before frustrating season host College of Saint Benilde, 73-71.
Against St. Benilde, JRU was up 61-47 with nearly three minutes gone in the final period but allowed the Blazers to score 14 straight points to force the overtime.
And Meneses does not want his players to get accustomed to that kind of attitude when they face the Generals on Monday—the same play date where defending champion San Beda will take on a skidding Mapua side at 6 p.m.
"When we’re up, they played as if just to protect the lead. They play relaxed basketball. That’s why I always remind them to play smarter na kahit lamang kami ng malaki we still need to attack the basket,” Meneses said.
The Generals, after losing two straight, finally found the confidence to win following a 73-72 decision over the Blazers and then held their own against defending champion San Beda Red Lions before collapsing in the fourth period in a 65-80 loss.
"We have to be ready against EAC. Napanood ko sila on how they hustle. And we’re the smaller team against them, lalo na at nanduon si [Noube] Happi. Plus, we also need to stop [John] Tayongtong and [Jan] Jamon,” added Meneses.
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