Ahead of their quarterfinals matchup against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas, Jose Rizal University forward Justin Lozano said in a postgame interview last November 25 at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan City that they just wanted to prove their doubters wrong.
Prove Them Wrong for the Last Team to Make it Out of the ‘Group of Death’
Since the start of the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball tournament, a lot of fans have labeled Group B as the ‘Group of Death’ considering that the Top 3 Alpha teams are all in just one group.
These teams are: San Beda University Red Lions, College of Saint Benilde Blazers and Colegio de San Juan de Letrán Knights.
And as the JRU Heavy Bombers win their Play-In game against the Emilio Aguinaldo College last Tuesday, Best Player of the Match Justin Lozano, was asked by Rebanse on what are his thoughts entering the Playoffs against the #1 team in Group A the ALTAs.
The 21 year old 2nd year college player simply shared that they heard the noise in social media that the fans only seemed to care about the 3 teams and not them.
And as they play the Patrick Sleat led Perpetual ALTAs on Thursday, Lozano just wanted to prove their doubters wrong.
“Ah siguro yung game na to, wala namang madaling game sa group namin eh. Tinatak lang namin na prove them wrong. Kase siyempre sa online, diba? Pinag uusapan lang yung tatlong team. Ang goal namin is yun lang, na mali sila.”
Lozano finished the game against the EAC Generals with 15 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal, 2 blocks and an incredible shooting splits from the free throw line going 8 for 11.
A Tall Order Against the Historical ALTAs
The Nani Epondulan squad will face an extremely difficult task in beating the ALTAs who just made history in Season 101.
With the maroon and white finishing with a win loss record of 9 and 4 record at the end of the elimination round, this marked the school’s first elimination-round finish at No. 1 since 2004.
And if we’re going to take a look at their lone matchup this season? Perpetual simply took care of business with a 71 to 65 victory last October 18.
It’s going to be an even harder path to the Semifinals for the yellow and navy blue squad since the UPHSD will have a twice to beat advantage against them come their playoff clash this November 27, Thursday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
But if there’s one silver lining that JRU can have in their minds as they possibly the last game of their season, they made it out of the Group of Death, surely the odds of winning this game isn’t something new to them this entire Season 101.
