Frustrated Meneses blasts JRU anew: No pride, heart on defense

JRU Head coach Vergel Meneses.

Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses could no longer hide his frustrations following another humiliating loss, this time a 20-point rout at the hands of Arellano, 89-69, on Friday.

“Minsan di ko na alam din. Kahit na-figure out na namin kung ano yung problema, I just keep quiet and let them think,” he said. “Kung ano yung gameplan ko at gagawin nila, it’s all on the board. Binilugan ko lahat sa kanila after the first half. Kung ano yung nasa board na offensive plans, yun ang ginawa nila lahat. But yung pride, yung puso sa depensa, wala.”

The Chiefs rattled the skidding Heavy Bombers early, holding a 47-27 lead at the half. Things didn’t get any better for JRU in the second half, as it finished the game on a 38-percent shooting from the field while also committing 20 turnovers.

“Sinasabi ko lang sa kanila, pag di kami dumepensa, hindi ibig sabihin nun na lahat mashu-shoot namin sa opensa. That’s why Arellano gets so many easy baskets: nandoon yung kumpyansa nila dumepensa,” the PBA great said. “The more stops you make, the more chances for us to have possessions. Yun ang ginawa ng Arellano sa amin, they frustrated us. They forced na magkaroon kami ng turnovers. Nandoon lahat sa board yan.”

Comparing last season’s run, where a late-season winning streak allowed the Heavy Bombers to barge into the Final Four, Meneses believes his team’s status is far worse this time out.

“Ang layo sa last year. Kahit slow start kami last year, ang mga talo namin hindi ganito. Laging dikit yun. Ngayon, ang sama eh. Won ballgame, na, in the end, lalamang pa ang kalaban ng malaki,” he said.

JRU currently sits at seventh place with a 3-5 record, with unbeaten San Beda awaiting it on Tuesday as both teams wrap up their first round schedules in the NCAA Season 92 men’s basketball tournament.

Meneses now leaves it up to the players if they want to turn the page for the Heavy Bombers in the second round.

“It’s up to them if they want to play or not. Whatever it is, it’s fine with me. Wala namang mawawala sa akin kung ayaw nila maglaro eh. Di na kami magaaway-away. Sabi ko sa kanila, una pa lang, sabihin na nila para di na rin ako napapagod,” he said. “Gagawin ko trabaho ko, pero kailangan gawin din nila ang trabaho nila.”