Teodoro powers JRU to pound Saint Benilde

MANILA, Philippines – After leading Jose Rizal University in a phenomenal fourth-quarter rally against Lyceum of the Philippines University in its last outing, Bernabe Teodoro’s star shined the brightest again, steering the Heavy Bombers to a 67-49 triumph against College of Saint Benilde on Tuesday, July 28.

Teodoro single-handedly bombarded Saint Benilde with 21 points, 8 rebounds, two assists and 3 steals to improve JRU’s standing to 4-2 in the ongoing NCAA Season 91 men’s seniors basketball tourney at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City, 

In addition, Teodoro is the only member of the JRU roster who registered double digits in the Heavy Bombers’ dominant victory.

“It became an easy game for us because we keenly studied Saint Benilde, and we pulled it off clearly. It should be that way in every game. I am happy also because Coach Vergel [Meneses] trusted me,” Teodoro said in his post-game interview.

Despite the impressive routing of Saint Benilde, the Kalentong-based brigade struggled in the first period as JRU allowed Jeffrey Ongteco and Jose Saavedra to hit jumpers that positioned the Green Blazers in a 14-9 edge.

However, John Grospe and Cris Dela Paz managed to snatch the lead in the dying seconds of the said period with their full-throttle attacks to the basket, 15-14.

The black-and-yellow completely pulled away in the second frame with a solid 2-3 zone, limiting Saint Benilde’s output to 8 points and leading Abdoul Poutouochi, Paolo Pontejos, and Marco Balagtas to contribute to JRU’s 17-point barrage.

“I have to admit that we implemented and executed our defense very well against Benilde. Defense has always been our key to victory, and we just have to maintain that kind of rhythm in our next game,” Meneses stated.

As Saint Benilde dropped its record to 1-4, Ongteco and Saavedra served as the work horses for the Green shirts and combined 20 points.

CSB ace gunner Jonathan Grey surprisingly remained silent the entire regulation, finishing with only 6 points.

Scores:

JRU (67) – Teodoro 21, Grospe 9, Poutouochi 7, Dela Paz 7, Cruz 6, Pontejos 5, Sanchez 5, Balagtas 3, Abdul Wahab 2, Dela Virgen 2, Lasquety 0, Estrella 0

CSB (49) – Ongteco 10, Saavedra 10, Nayve 7, Castor 6, Grey 6, Fajarito 5, Young 2, San Juan 2, Jonson 1, Domingo 0 J., Domingo S. 0, Deles 0, Sta. Maria 0

Quarter scores: 15-14, 39-22, 55-31, 67-49

– Rappler.com