The fountain of youth will be Jose Rizal University’s greatest asset come NCAA Season 101.

Nevermind JRU’s forgettable centennial season– that’s a relic of the past. Instead, the Heavy Bombers are laser-focused on making the most out of a new and improved roster that boasts a promising blend of vets and standouts fresh out of the junior ranks. 

With no less than former NCAA MVP Nani Epondulan leading the retooled artillery, expect fireworks from this young and inspired JRU squad. 

EPONDULAN HELMS YOUNG CORE
The JRU men’s basketball team is riding high on the arrival of head coach Nani Epondulan, a former Heavy Bomber himself who was the Grand Old League’s Most Valuable Player in Season 77. 

In an exclusive interview with GMA Synergy, Epondulan– the leader of the JRU squad that lost in the finals against San Sebastian during his MVP season– said a first ever championship has been “long overdue,” making his return as coach even more special.  

“I failed to give the championship to my alma mater before, I'm hoping and praying na with the new assignment they gave me, matupad ko na yun… especially for the fans of JRU na matagal nang uhaw sa kampyonato,” said JRU’s newly installed mentor.

Fortifying this lofty goal is Epondulan’s belief that the Heavy Bombers will derive their strength from a primarily young core anchoring both ends of the floor, with key holdovers Shawn Argente, Lance Benitez, and Ivan Panapanaan still leading the artillery.

“We have a young team. Siguro sabi nila yun yung isa sa weaknesses namin. For us we don't want negativities, we want to look at it in a positive way. So tingin namin yung youth namin magiging strength namin,” he shared.

He thinks that their youthful energy– beefed up by the likes of Sean Salvador, Sanlea Peñaverde, Allen Laurenaria, and Paul Enal– will cause major problems for their counterparts. 

“Yung youth na yun, they are aggressive. And yung aggressiveness na yun, yung poproblemahin ng mga kalaban namin sa NCAA,” added Epondulan. 

This spells major development for the Mandaluyong-based squad after a dismal last place finish in Season 100. 

One key element Coach Nani will try giving heavy priority is their defensive tenacity.

“Sabi ko nga sa players ko lagi, we try to play the game possession by possession. Every time andun kami sa depensa, number one goal namin is to make a stop. We try to inject the right discipline, and of course yung defensive scheme namin na tingin namin key sa run namin this upcoming season,” he explained. 

YOUNG GUNS OUT TO PROVE METTLE
Epondulan made special mention of the new kids on the block the JRU program acquired in the past two offseasons, which saw the addition of homegrown Paul Enal, former Staglets ace player Sanlea Peñaverde, and Mapúa Red Robins standouts Sean Salvador and Allen Laurenaria.

“With Sean Salvador, he will give us [aside from Shawn Argente] outside shooting,” he said of the 6-foot guard, who was a key cog for Mapúa's junior squad with a 14-4-2 average in Season 100.

“With Allan Laurenaria, offensive rebounding and slashing, at the same time yung transition offense,” added Epondulan. 

Laurenaria, a 6-foot-1 former Red Robins comrade of Salvador, was a double-double threat in his Season 100 stint, averaging 9.22 points and 8.5 boards per game.

As for former San Sebastian standout Sanlea Peñaverde– an all-around guard who was the NCAA juniors’ second best scorer (24.11ppg) last season– Epondulan thinks highly of his versatility.

“With Sanlea, he plays in and out, different looks. Yun ang isa sa magiging problema ng mga kalaban namin,” he said.

Peñaverde filled the stat sheet in his last year as a Staglet, lacing his high-scoring season with 7.5 boards, 2.6 dimes, and nearly three steals per contest. 

Epondulan also looks forward to seeing two-time NCAA Juniors Defensive Player of the Year Paul Enal make waves for JRU.

“Paul Enal is also one of the new additions for us so naga-adjust pa sya sa sistema na nira-run namin. But I think with the presence of Enal, he gives us length and athleticism, so yung dalawang yun I think he will cover sa small lineup that we have. Kasi si Enal, he can play three, power forward, and also center position,” he said of the young defensive stalwart.

The return of Season 99 Freshman of the Year Jay Garupil, who according to Epondulan is "on a mission," will also be a big boost for the Mandaluyong-based squad.

Reclaiming glory after a 4-14 season is no walk in the park. But the atmosphere has drastically changed for the better with this new-look roster and Coach Nani Epondulan at the helm.

While the proven duo of former Rookie of the Year Chris Hubilla and hotshot Lawrence Mangubat awaits residency, it will be up for the young guns to pick up the slack for the comebacking Heavy Bombers in Season 101.

Best believe he means business when he says “tina-trabaho namin 100% every day.”