INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines – If the Jose Rizal U Heavy Bombers are to contend again for the NCAA crown this season, they’re going to need the kind of performance that John Wilson has produced in the first three games of the tournament.

Wilson averaged 21 points during the stretch, powering the Heavy Bombers to a 3-0 record and a share of the lead in the 85th NCAA season.

But coach Ariel Vanguardia isn’t surprised over the development, saying Wilson is one of the hardest working players in the team.

“He’s the first one to arrive on the gym and practice shooting and he’s also the last player out,” Vanguardia said of the 6-foot-2 swingman from Binangonan, Rizal, the second recipient of the FilOil Accel NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week.

“I think there is no other better shooter and slasher in the NCAA than him.”

Thriving in the Bombers’ inside-outside game, Wilson has knocked in 13 triples in the first three games.

“Wilson and big man James Sena complement each other’s game,” said Vanguardia.

Wilson shot 22 points, including four treys that helped key a third-quarter breakaway for an 83-69 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College last Friday. He also grabbed 10 rebounds, had three steals and no turnovers. In the 83-58 drubbing of Perpetual Help last July 3, Wilson topscored with 19 points, built on five-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc.

But Vanguardia said Wilson needs to work on his defense to reach his full potential. “He’s never known for his defense and that’s the area where I want him to improve,” the JRU coach said. Cedelf P. Tupas