FILE–JRU Heavy Bombers’ coach Louie Gonzales in the NCAA Season 99. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—A rebuilding Jose Rizal University made sure not to be left out in the offseason recruitment frenzy en route to the NCAA’s centennial season.
Just a day removed from the conclusion of the NBTC National Finals, Heavy Bombers coach Louie Gonzales welcomed two revelations from the annual week-long tournament that features the best talents in the Philippines under 19 years of age.
Bacolod Trinity Christian School standouts John Loyd Martinez and Shannon Sealy will don the Gold and Blue for Season 100 to play for JRU, which lost some key cogs after a promising season.
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Martinez, a 6-foot-1 forward, showed his mettle in scoring for Bacolod in the NBTC with norms of 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game.
Meanwhile, Sealey nearly averaged a double-double with his 6-foot-4 frame to the tune of 9.0 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per outing.
With both swingmen being 19-year-olds, the Bacolod aspirants potentially have five more years to play for the Heavy Bombers, should they decide to maximize their collegiate playing years.
Sealey will be of big help in JRU’s front court which boasts of Agem Miranda and Joshua Guiab.
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The Heavy Bombers lost the services of solid playmaker JL Delos Santos at the end of Season 99 after being drafted by Converge and that’s where Martinez could come in and fill the void for Gonzales.
JRU missed the Final Four last year after finishing the men’s basketball tournament with a 10-8 card.