After a 71-65 win over the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, Jose Rizal University head coach Louie Gonzales erred on the side of caution when speaking about his team’s success early in the season.
“We haven’t achieved anything yet. Siguro maganda lang record namin right now, pero alam naman nila 'yung aim namin before the season even started,” asserted Gonzales.
(We haven't achieved anything yet. Perhaps what we have now is a good record but they know our aim even before the season started.)
The Heavy Bombers’ win over the ALTAs was by committee, as their supporting cast outscored their counterparts by 24 points, 45-21.
Spearheading the Heavy Bombers bench mob was rookie Shawn Argente who produced a team-high 17 points, 15 of which came from three-point territory.
With Agem Miranda struggling to get any rhythm versus the ALTAs, only scoring six points, and with skipper Ry Dela Rosa still out, Argente’s consistent showing so far has been a huge boost for the Heavy Bombers.
“Alam naman natin na malaki 'yung role ni Ry as a shooter sa flow ng offense namin. Simula pa lang ng preseason talagang ini-inculcate na kaagad namin sa isip ni Shawn Argente na siya 'yung papalit dun. So he has really proven himself capable of doing that,” said Gonzales about his rookie guard.
(We know the importance of Ry's role as a shooter in the flow of our offense. Even in the start of the preseason, we inculcated to them that Shawn will eventually take over that spot. So he has really proven himself capable of doing that.)
Despite new faces stepping up this season, the JRU tactician maintained that he is still very much looking forward to seeing the team’s leader back in action.
“I hope he gets back as soon as possible, kasi kailangan talaga namin 'yung team captain namin na makalaro ulit. Wishing, hoping, praying na makasama namin ulit siya. That’s why if you noticed, hindi pa ako nag-activate ng kapalit niya kasi ganon namin nirerespto 'yung aming team captain.”
(I hope he gets back as soon as possible because we really need our team captain to play again. Wishing, hoping, praying that he could join us again. That's why if you noticed, we haven't activated a replacement for him because we respect him as the team captain.)
Gonzales and his troops look to extend their winning streak to four games as they face San Sebastian College-Recoletos on Tuesday, October 10.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
