Rank Country Gold Silver Bronze Total
    View Today
    Sun, Nov 5

    NCAA Preview: Intact JRU looks to show maturity beyond age

    Tight-knit Heavy Bombers eager to get to next level after long preparation
    Mar 17, 2022
    JRU Chester Jungco Louie Gonzalez Marwin Dionisio
    Coach Louie Gonzalez expects Chester Jungco, Marwin Dionisio, and Co. to take the Heavy Bombers to the next level.

    (Editor's note: This is the eighth of a series of team previews for the NCAA Season 97.)

    NCAA preview: JRU

    WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE? 5-13, 8th in the eliminations

    WHO'S GONE? Agem Miranda, Ry dela Rosa, John Amores

    WHO'S BACK? JL delos Santos, Marwin Dionisio, Chester Jungco

    WHO'S NEW? EJ Agbong, Jason Celis, Paulo Quiminales

    ---

    UNLIKE other teams, the rebuild began in Jose Rizal University long before the pandemic hit.

    Having that extended time to mesh well together is what brings a big smile on the face of Heavy Bombers coach Louie Gonzalez.

    "A week after nag-lockdown, nagsimula kami sa Zoom trainings and it did not stop sa halos na dalawang taon. So ito na lang talaga ang hinihintay namin, na makabalik na lahat sa court," he said.

    Trotting out an intact lineup, JRU is banking on familiarity as Gonzalez is happy to see the team operate like one functional unit this NCAA Season 97.

    Holdovers JL delos Santos, and Marwin Dionisio are all thrusted to bigger roles this year as their maturity will be put to the test as the veterans, while also integrating transferees EJ Agbong and Jason Celis from Letran to their line of attack.

    Unfortunately, the Heavy Bombers will miss Ry dela Rosa, who will be sitting out this season due to an ACL injury, and Agem Miranda and John Amores, both of whom have been relegated to Team B for disciplinary actions.

    Still, Gonzalez is raving on the personnel he has for JRU, saying, "Ang pinanghahawakan na lang namin, kami lang ang masasabi mo na intact. And yung mga natira, I can say na nag-mature na sila both physical and mental. So having that experience na nakalaro na sila together before, we're banking on that."

    And that only leads to the Heavy Bombers dreaming of better results as they hope to be in the thick of the playoff race and buy a ticket to the postseason in this mad dash of a tournament.

    ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓

    MORE FROM SPIN
    MORE FROM SPIN

      "Masasabi ko na lalaban itong team na ito. The pandemic worked in our favor kasi yung team namin before, kulang talaga sa maturity. Pero right now, na-achieve na namin lahat yung physical capabilities at nakikita ko na outstanding ang improvements at decision making ng mga bata," he said.

      "Yun lang talaga ang nakikita kong strength ng team na ito, yung chemistry talaga. Mahirap kalaban yung team na magkakakilala."

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

      Read Next
      Watch Now
      Sorry, no results found for
      Coach Louie Gonzalez expects Chester Jungco, Marwin Dionisio, and Co. to take the Heavy Bombers to the next level.
    • POLL

      • Quiz

        Quiz Result