JRU bags 3rd straight NCAA athletics crown

Jose Rizal University captured a third straight athletics championship in the NCAA recently, amassing 856 points behind a strong performance in the field events.

Coached by the husband-and-wife team of Jojo Posadas and former long jump queen Elma Muros-Posadas, the Heavy Bombers finished comfortably ahead of Perpetual Help, which placed second with 785 points.

Melvin Calano led JRU’s top performers by bagging the men’s javelin gold with a throw of 61.44 meters. The 20-year-old Calano, who is from Bicol, was spotted by Posadas during the Palarong Pambansa in Palawan five years ago where he failed to land a medal.

“We have already recommended him for inclusion to the national team,” said Jojo.

Also proving to be vital cogs for the Bombers were Mark Harry Diones and brother Nelbert Diones and John Mantua.

Mark Harry, 15, overwhelmed the opposition with 15.13 meters in triple jump and 10.15m in the long jump. Nelbert captured  the gold in shot put with a 13.89m throw, while Mantua was the discus champ  with 40.65m.