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FilOil: JRU's long bombs ward off USC Warriors
Jaycee Asuncion of JRU goes for a one-hand shot surrounded by three USC players. KC Cruz
The JRU Heavy Bombers outclassed the debuting University of San Carlos Warriors 78-61 at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City on Wednesday. The Bombers cruised to an easy wire-to-wire victory after throttling their Cebuano counterparts for the greater part of the first half.
The game was the first assignment for both teams in the Filoil Flying V Tournament. The duo is pooled together in Group A, along with the reigning UAAP champions DLSU Green Archers, the reigning FilOil champions UE Red Warriors, plus the two other Cesafi squads.
From the opening tip, the Bombers showed a capacity to smother the USC defense, getting tips and deflections off passes, bothering ball handlers with an active press defense, and closing out hard on shooters. The Warrior offense ran deep into possessions and up against the shot clock commiting multiple 24 second violations in the half.
The only offensive player of any note for the USC side was Congo Republic native Espoir Toyambi who scored 16 points in the first half, most of which came in semi-transition when the Warriors were able to break the JRU press. Nico Magat was the first USC scorer other than Toyambi and his fadeaway jumpshot came at the 1:29 mark of the first quarter.
The JRU offense was anchored in the first half by team captain Michael Mabulac who scored an efficient nine points on three shots, putting up points in the paint despite being matched up against the much taller Toyambi. The Bombers out-shot the Warriors 39 percent to 24 percent in the first half, while also taking care of the ball, enjoying the fruits of 14 USC turnovers. JRU led at the break 39-23.
The Cebuano perimeter scorers finally found their mark in the third quarter, helping the Warriors match their entire first half output in the period. Miguel Plata came off the bench to hit four three-pointers to account for all 12 of his points. A 12-2 San Carlos run in the third quarter momentarily cut the JRU lead to 12 but the Heavy Bombers also started to find their range to fend off the onslaught.
The JRU Bombers hit a total of 11 triples in the contest, led by Jaycee Asuncion’s four.
The JRU Bombers hit a total of 11 triples in the contest, led by Jaycee Asuncion’s four.
The 11 three-pointers fell one short of tying Lyceum’s tournament-high of 12 set last Monday, April 28.
USC never mounted a fourth quarter comeback, failing to pull within fourteen in the final frame.
“He is one of the leaders of my team," JRU head coach said of Mabulac. "That is what I look for in him, he should be consistent about it. What he does for the team, everyone will follow.”
“He is one of the leaders of my team," JRU head coach said of Mabulac. "That is what I look for in him, he should be consistent about it. What he does for the team, everyone will follow.”
“They [the USC players] had difficulty adjusting. Hopefully, for our next game our players will be able to adjust to this style of play.” Said USC head coach Junthy Vasnenzuela
“We didn’t see what we wanted from our players, they got dominated by the opposition. Next game we’ll see more of their natural talent. We will be competitive in every game. That is our aim.” - JDL, GMA News
The scores:
JRU 78 - Asucion 18, Teodoro 14, Paniamogan 14, Abdulwahab 10, Mabulac 9, Matricio 5, Lasquety 2, Balagtas 2, Benemerito 2, Dela Paz 1, Salaveria 1
USC 61- Toyambi 20, Olago 14, Plata 12, Lim 6 Magat 5, Ortega 2, Rocha 2
