FOR Bernabe “Teytey” Teodoro, a Final Four stint for the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers is something he dreams about in the 92nd National Collegiate Association (NCAA) men’s basketball season.
A 71-63 victory over the College of St. Benilde at the Filoil Flying V Centre on Friday got JRU back on the right track.
In that game, Cameroonian reinforcement Abdel Poutouochi fought his way to 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocks while Paolo Pontejos and Teodoro fired 14 and 11 points, respectively.
This helped the Bombers snare their eighth win against six defeats.
“It’s been a while since we made it. That’s what the players really want to do. Every game, one game at a time,” said Teodoro.
JRU’s 5’8” guard is one of the team’s top shooters with his average of 19.7 points.
His game is now starting to pick up after the Heavy Bombers experienced a poor first round. They have since won three straight to improve from solo fifth place to a tie at fourth in the team standings.
“We know what Teodor can do when he puts his mind to it. At any given time, if he wants to, he is capable of taking charge and he will take charge,” said JRU coach Vergel Meneses.
Last week, Teodoro and Poutouochi led the way in the final stretch as JRU won over Lyceum, 68-58.
With Teodoro and Poutouochi taking charge, the Heavy Bombers pulled away and eventually tied Mapua at fourth place with identical 7-5 win-loss records.
Teodoro fired 21 points, including a triple with 6.2 ticks to go, to finally hold off Lyceum’s stand.
After this game, Meneses praised Teodoro for heeding his call to play better defense.
Meneses believes that the JRU guard can become a good player even in the Philippine Basketball Association if he can work on his defense.
But Teodoro is not thinking so far ahead. He is focused to help boost JRU’s campaign for the elusive crown.
“My focus is on JRU. I want the team to enter the championship,” said the 22-year-old Teodoro.
It’s been a while for the Heavy Bombers, who have the longest title drought in the NCAA.
They last won an NCAA title in 1972, with Philip Cezar showing the way.