Just like old times as Epondulan leads Bombers win over another top program
Jose Rizal University coach Nani Epondulan had one reminder for the Heavy Bombers before their litmus test against San Beda in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament.
“I told my players after that loss to EAC, make sure to bring your heart at baka maihi kayo sa salawal sa (you might wet yourselves because of) pressure,” he told the Inquirer after the squad crossed off the Red Lions from their hit list, 67-66, at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday.
“San Beda is different. Their crowd is different and I guess my message got across because before, that’s really how it is,” Epondulan added. “The same goes for the Letran crowd. They both talk trash and are really physical. We all knew that down the stretch, those teams will play their hearts out.”
Epondulan is the perfect guy to lead the charge against programs like San Beda and Letran, who the Bombers beat in their first assignment of the season a few days back.
Back in 2001, Epondulan, who won Season 77 MVP honors, steered JRU to a winning record over both the Red Lions and the Knights.
Twenty-four years later, the Heavy Bombers repeated the feat, this time with Epondulan sitting on the head coach’s chair.
In his first year as a coach for his alma mater, Epondulan did what he used to do as a player back in the day and while it’s too early to judge, his Heavy Bombers are on the right track en route back to the school’s winning culture.
“It’s a bit too early to say things now but what we always talk about is taking games one at a time. Either we win, or we learn,” he said after steering his squad to a second win in three outings.
“We’ve always wanted to bring back the winning culture in JRU because it’s been a while since we reached the Final Four. It’s only my first year but it doesn’t mean we won’t compete.”
Sean Salvador and Justin Lozano helped JRU escape San Beda with 15 and 13 points, respectively.
The troika of John Sajonia (16), Agjanti Miller (13) and Bismarck Lina (13) came out big for San Beda but it wasn’t enough to push the Red Lions to the victory as they dropped to a 2-1 card.
San Sebastian, meanwhile, toppled Lyceum, 100-94, in double overtime in the other match.
Ian Cuajao spearheaded the Golden Stags’ first victory of the season with 25 points, including the go-ahead triple in double overtime for a 98-94 cushion with 20 seconds to go.
Christian Ricio also scored 25 in San Sebastian’s win while Jhuniel Dela Rama dominated the boards with 15 points and 23 rebounds to push the Stags to a 1-2 record.
John Barba scored a game-high 32 points for Lyceum but it went down the drain as the Pirates stayed winless after three games.
