JRU brushes off skidding UST

FILE PHOTO – Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Jose Rizal University needed a strong fourth quarter to fend off struggling University of Santo Tomas, 61-55, in the 2017 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup Sunday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan

The Heavy Bombers now own a 5-1 record and sit on a two-game winning streak after Lyceum broke their previous three-game roll while the Growling Tigers reeled to a disappointing 1-4 card in Group A.

UST’s lone moment of brilliance came in the second quarter when it outscored JRU,13-7, to end the first half with a 26-22 lead.

That caused JRU head coach Vergel Meneses to turn irate towards his players and fortunately for him the Heavy Bombers responded and closed out the fourth quarter outscoring UST, 21-13.

“I challenged them during the halftime break and told them I wasn’t happy with how they played,” said Meneses. “I know that we just came off a game a couple of days ago but I want to see some effort. It was a good thing the team responded.”

Ervin Grospe led JRU with 18 points while Teytey Teodoro added 10.

Wendell De Guzman had 17 points to lead the Growling Tigers.