NCAA Season 92 Preview: With lineup intact, JRU poised for deeper run

JRU’s Paolo Pontejos reacts to a play. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Head coach: Vergel Meneses
Last season: 12-6 (fourth)
Key Losses: Dave Sanchez, Marco Balagtas
Key returnees: Paolo Pontejos, Tey Teodoro

As one of the graduating players on the team, Paolo Pontejos wants to make his final playing year with Jose Rizal University count.

Pontejos helped the Heavy Bombers make the Final Four last year but he said the team won’t be satisfied with just another semifinals stint in the coming season.

“Goal namin ngayon is mahigitan yung Final Four run namin last season,” Pontejos said.

JRU settled for the fourth seed in the Final Four after losing to Mapua in a playoff for No. 3 and was knocked off by San Beda.

But with their core intact and added experience, the Bombers feel they are more equipped to make another title push.

“That’s our advantage because most of the teams, maraming nawala sa kanila especially star players and key players yung mga nawala,” Pontejos said.

“Dapat maganda exit namin this season kasi magpapa-draft na rin ako this year so hopefully maging maganda yung takbo ng team namin.”