Manila Bulletin; 9/23/2001
SAN SEBASTIAN and Jose Rizal hammered out big wins yesterday to arrange a best-of-three championship duel for the NCAA seniors basketball tournament crown at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Stags tripped the Mapua Cardinals, 48-44, while the Heavy Bombers ousted defending champion St. Benilde, 99-76.
Ernani Epondulan sizzled with 35 points, including 21 in the first half when the Heavy Bomber all but clinched the finals berth by running away to a 52-32 advantage going into the final 20 minutes.
"Nagpapasalamat kami sa Diyos. Finally, nasa finals na uli kami. Nagkasabay-sabay na maganda ang laro ng mga bata," said JRU mentor Boy de Vera.
The best-of-three series starts tomorrow.
JRU bet leads MVP race
Manila Bulletin; 9/22/2001
Jose Rizal University stalwart Ernani Epondulan took a giant leap from 12th place to wrest the lead in the MVP race after the two-round elimination of the 77th National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball season at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The 5'10" Epondulan, despite missing action on their last elimination match, accumulated a player all-round value of 25.30 to snatch the top spot from San Beda forward Argun Cordero.
He averages, 20.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and three steals ...
Bombers secure Final Four berth
Manila Bulletin; 8/28/2001
FRONTRUNNING JOSE Rizal University played steadier in the final three minutes to beat host Philippine Christian University, 87-80, and secure a Final Four seat in the NCAA seniors basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Ernani Epondulan scored 23 points, including six in a pivotal 13-6 run that paved the way for the Heavy Bombers' ninth straight victory.
The Dolphins absorbed their seventh loss in 10 outings.
"I give credit to the boys, talagang nag-trabaho lahat para makapasok kami sa Final Four. I also give kudos to PCU for giving a good fight," said Jose Rizal coach Boy de Vera.
"We expected a tough challenge from PCU. Pero mas determinado lang yung mga bata ko. They really went all out. Nung dumikit ng dalawa, sinabihan ko lang sila na huwag mawalan ang depensa. They know what to do kaya nakalayo uli kami," said De Vera, optimistic of ending Jose Rizal's 29-year title drought.
JRU's streak now 8 games
Manila Bulletin; 8/17/2001
Jose Rizal University downed San Beda College, 125-111, yesterday to remain unbeaten in eight games in the National Collegiate Athletic Association seniors basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Ernani Epondulan scored 22 points while Ariel Capus added 20 points on top of 10 rebounds and five assists as the Heavy Bombers repeated their 103-97 victory over the Red Lions last July 23.
San Beda, which remained in the cellar at 1-7, was only in the thick of the fight in the first half, getting most of the points from MVP leaders Arjun Cordero, Britt Carlo Reroma and James Hudencial.
Bombers sweep 1st round
Manila Bulletin; 8/10/2001
JOSE RIZAL University completed a sweep of the first round with a 95-90 victory over defending champion College of St. Benilde yesterday in the National Collegiate Athletics association (NCAA) seniors basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial coliseum.
Ernani Epondulan scored 23 points, inlcuding six from the stripes in the fourth quarter where the Heavy Bombers erec-ted an 80-69 lead going into the final two minutes.
"We achieved our first goal, which was to sweep the first round. Now we have to keep our winning form and try to sweep the next." Said Jose Rizal coach Boy de Vera.
"Sana, huwag lang maulit yung nagyari last year when we swept the first round but didn't do well in the second," he added.
Jose Rizal goes for sweep
Manila Bulletin; 8/9/2001
Jose Rizal College eyes a sweep of the first round eliminations when it battles defending champion College of St. Benilde today in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) seniors basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Heavy Bombers of Boy de Vera met the slumping Blazers at 5 p.m.
"We're hoping for the best, which is to sweep the first round,'' said De Vera after the Bombers defeated Letran, 85-81, last July 31.
"I told my players to be ready for St. Benilde, siguradong gigil yan na makabalik dahil sa apat na sunod na talo. Kailangan na mag-ingat kami,'' said De Vera, who will bank on Ernani Epondulan, Ariel Capus, Nathaniel Gregorio, Rendeli dela Rea and John Dale Valena.
"Last year, we swept the first round but we failed to sustain our winning form in the next. Sana, huwag maulit yun this season.
Bombers keep clean record
Manila Bulletin; 8/1/2001
Jose Rizal University outplayed Letran College, 85-81, yesterday to remain unbeaten in six games in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Ernani Epondulan sizzled with 36 points, but Rondell dela Rea and Wynsjohn Te played the heroics for the Heavy Bombers, sinking back-to-back treys to put Jose Rizal ahead, 2-77,with 27 seconds left in the game.
Bombers get 5th straight
Manila Bulletin; 7/29/2001
JOSE RIZAL Univesity turned back host Philippine Christian U, 8581, last night to stay unbeaten after five games in the NCAA seniors basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Joel Finuliar banged in 17 points and Ernani Epondulan added 16 as the Heavy Bombers broke away from the last deadlock at 74-74 with still three minutes remaining to coast to the victory.
The Dolphins, who got a big game from Omar Asmad, Leo Gaspi and Robert Sanz, dominated the first three quarters but lost steam in the last period to absorb their fourth defeat in five matches.
