Far Eastern University’s Raymar Jose was a man among boys in the paint with 11 points and 13 rebounds against University of the Philippines on Sunday. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Mac Belo and Mike Tolomia may be Far Eastern University’s top players but the two stars won’t be head coach Nash Racela’s main options when it comes to doing the dirty work, a role best played by Raymar Jose.
“I think the key there was Raymar kasi ginampanan nya talaga role nya (because he really played his role),” he said. “Siya ang pinakamagaling na basurero sa amin. Yan talaga ang trademark nya (He’s our best garbageman and that’s really his trademark).”
Jose has been having a breakout season for the Tamaraws and he continued his fine form on Sunday with another double-double — scoring 11 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in a 75-58 win over the Fighting Maroons.
Jose’s efforts, especially with his rebounding, also proved to be infectious and his presence in the shaded area has allowed FEU to rule the glass most of the time. And Sunday night was no exception with the Tamaraws dominating the Maroons in that department, 52-35.
Racela said the success Jose has been getting is the result of his hard work in practice which includes running up-and-down the court on a daily basis.
“Natatakot nga ako na baka masunog sya masyado pero ganyan ang pagkakagawa sa kanya. Ngayon, naipakita niya lang kung sino siya because of his hard work,” Racela said.
(I’m scared because he might get burned out but that’s how he’s made. Today, he showed who he really is because of his hardwork.)
Jose said he’s only doing what his coach is asking him to do.
“Ginawa ko lang yung part ko. Sabi nga ni coach, mahirap yung tatlong sunod na laro namin kaya ready lang palagi pag pinapasok ako at ibigay kung ano yung maitutulong ko sa team,” said Jose, who corralled six offensive rebounds. “Lahat naman ng pinapakita namin, tinatrabaho ko naman sa practice yan.”
(I just did my part. Just like coach said, our next three games will be tough so we have to be ready whenever we get inside the game and give whatever we can to help the team. All of our games, we all worked hard for it in our practices.)