Jose Rizal University made a huge impact this week after notching back-to-back wins in Season 99 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
And it’s all because of Heavy Bombers’ team captain Ry dela Rosa.
After missing several games since 24 September, the graduating team captain made heads turn after averaging 10.67 points and two rebounds in their last three games, enough for him to earn the Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Player of the Week honors.
The younger brother of Magnolia Hotshots forward Rome dela Rosa, Ry was a deadeye gunner for JRU, hitting six three-pointers for a 19-point outing in their 79-72 win over San Sebastian last Friday.
He then detonated three more clutch long bombs and finishing with 12 points to extinguish a fiery Arellano University side, 79-74, on Sunday.
Those performances surely weighed heavily on the Bombers’ Final Four bid as they now sit behind the top seeds Mapua University, which has a 9-2 win-loss record, and Lyceum of the Philippines University with an 8-3 record, while being ahead of San Beda University which holds a 7-4 slate.
Dela Rosa outgunned Pirate Greg Cunanan, Jade Talampas of the Chiefs, and Migs Oczon of College of Saint Benilde for the weekly honors presented by San Miguel Corporation and backed by minor sports Discovery Suites and Jockey.
The trust Dela Rosa had for his teammates and coaches did wonders for his return to JRU as they aim to get back into the semifinals for the first time since 2017.
“Definitely getting there for sure, just have to continue and put in extra work. My teammates and my coaches are really not pressuring me to get back, and I’m glad that it was showing and I’m just very thankful to be in this position,” Dela Rosa said.
“I’m glad I am playing with this group, these guys just know how to hold it down, they know the only way to win is to rely on one another and that’s just our thing, continuing to show the brotherhood we have.”
