Pontejos fuels Heavy Bombers’ final four chase

Paolo Pontejos is the Heavy Bombers’ sparkplug.

Better late than never.

Paolo Pontejos shook off his early struggles and took the baton for Jose Rizal University in the clutch as the Heavy Bombers’ quest for a Final four in the NCAA Season 91 men’s basketball tournament continues with a fourth straight win.

Pontejos’ leadership was evident in JRU’s 62-60 victory over Perpetual on Friday, accounting for all but two of Heavy Bombers’ 18-2 run that got them back into the game after trailing early.  He finished with 19 points.

“He was the spark in the third quarter, that’s why we got back in the game,” said coach Vergel Meneses of his starting guard.

JRU bucked its sluggish start and rebooted at halftime after Pontejos huddled his teammates for what would be a scathing second half run.

“Di kami maka-execute nung first half. Di rin kami makadepensa,” he said. “Bago magumpisa yung third, nagusap-usap kami na sayang yung chance, yung opportunity na pwede pa kami mag-top four.”

(We can’t execute in the first half. We also couldn’t defend. Before the third quarter started, we talked about our chances, our opportunity to make the top four.)

The Heavy Bombers clamped down on defense and limited Perpetual to a solitary field goal for the last seven minutes in the fourth to escape with the win.

“Defense muna yung iniisip namin (We think about defense first.),” said Pontejos.

Meneses also commended Pontejos’ presence on the other end amid his scoring burst.

“Kung dedepensa yung Paolo, malaki ang chance namin (If Paolo defends, we have a big chance.).”

With one of the tightest final four races on hand, JRU knows there is no substitute for hardwork if it wants to get to the next round.

“Mas masarap yung pinaghihirapan,” he said. “Siguro we’re destined to be there. Kailangan lang paghirapan.”

(It’s sweeter if you worked hard for it. Maybe we’re destined to be there. We just have to work hard for it.)