Bombers Try To Keep Pace With Leaders

Winning is so addicting that Cameroonian center Joe Etame vowed to help Jose Rizal University win its third straight game against winless University of Perpetual Help System Dalta this Friday in the 86th NCAA tournament at the Arena in San Juan.

JRU coach Vergel Meneses is just as excited as Etame as the former PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) winner plans to unleash the full might of their arsenal to determine their full strength as they prepare for a tougher task ahead.

That will be known when they clash at 2 p.m. while Mapua collides with Arellano University at 4 p.m.

At 2-1, the Heavy Bombers are in third place behind co-leaders defending champion San Sebastian and San Beda (3-0) and College of St. Benilde (1-0).

Based on the skills and experiences of their players, the Bombers are heavily favored but Meneses and Etame do not want to take the Altas for granted.

After dropping their opening game assignment to San Beda College, the Bombers won their next two games – a 72-62 overtime win over Letran and a 66-62 decision over the Chiefs.

Despite their wins, Meneses was far from satisfied, saying they did not close out the game well.

"It was not a very good win for us because again we showed our tendency to relax. We need to correct that," Meneses said after their conquest of the Chiefs.

Francis Santiago, Manila Bulletin