IMMEDIATELY after the final buzzer sounded, Jose Rizal University’s Jed Mendoza broke down into the hardwood of the Filoil Flying V Arena as he savored their first-ever win on the hardcourt of NCAA Season 94.
Mendoza was lost for words and had to sing through the school’s Alma Mater hymn while fighting through tears as the Heavy Bombers came away with a hard fought 57-55 win over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals on Friday.
It’s a win that he most certainly deserved.
“Hindi ako naiyak sa panalo e. Dito ako naiyak e,” said JRU head coach Vergel Meneses, referring to how Mendoza broke down after the game.
“Nakita ko naman na gustong manalo talaga e. I hope yung ibang players ko madala iyon.”
For Mendoza, he just couldn’t let his school down anymore.
It has been a horror affair so far for the school in Kalentong as they have dropped their first seven games of the season – the worst start of the school since Meneses took over back in 2009.
They got a bit of reprieve after getting their loss to San Sebastian overturned – but Mendoza remained eager to give his school a win that they can finally celebrate.
Perseverance finally paid off for the 22-year-old gunner as he led the Bombers to their second official win of the season against six losses.
“Alam ni lord, alam ng team na gusto ko manalo. Every game naman binibigay ko consistency ko, binibigay ko lahat ng nasa puso ko. Hindi na para sa akin to, para kay lord na to, para sa team, para masuklian ko yung binibigay nila coach,” said Mendoza who finished with 18 points, five assists, and five steals in the win.
“Nahihiya narin kami sa JRU community na todo suporta sila. Ayoko na sila biguin. Mabibigo pa kami sa previous game pero ito mate-treasure namin itong pagkapanalo namin. Who knows magtuloy-tuloy na 'to,” he added.
Aside from the burden that he has to carry as a veteran, Mendoza also had to take the brunt of the frustration of the supporters of the Bombers.
Despite averaging 16.5 points, four boards, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 steals – last year’s Most Improved Player was still the target of criticisms online. For now, Mendoza can breathe easy.
“Parang nabawasan ng tinik sa dibdib talaga. Ngayon kasi pag sinabi sa JRU, ako yung nagrerepresent eh, as a captain ball and as a superstar, parang pag binabatikos yung team, ako kaagad e,” Mendoza said.
But Meneses quickly came to the defense of his star guard.
“Yung mga ganung bagay, eh alam naman natin na hindi nila alam kung ano ang basketball. We took it as a challenge. Naigng constructive criticism na it will help us. Wala naman silang knowledge about basketball, alam lang nila nanalo or natatalo.”
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