Jose Rizal University head coach Nani Epondulan issued a warning to his team after Ivan Panapanaan’s game-winning basket against Arellano University on November 6, as they return to action in Group B.
A Winning Momentum as they Go Back to the “Group of Death”
Having the last game of the crossover elimination round played at the iconic Rizal Memorial Coliseum, head coach Nani gave a gentle reminder to his team after getting a crucial win against the Arellano Chiefs.
“Well I mean alam niyo naman yung bracket namin sabi nga nila ‘Group of Death’ [Group B], so yung mga natalo noon namin sa grupo namin, I’m always telling the guys na inaantay na kayo nun. Inaantay at inaantay na kayo nun para gantihan kayo.”
Prior to improving their record to 5 wins and 4 losses, the Heavy Bombers defeated the Letrán Knights (73-69) and the San Beda Red Lions (67-66) in their Group B elimination round.
Now, the Ivan Panapanaan-led squad will face the same Group of Death again to finish the last phase of the elimination round.
“So its for us kung paano natin ihahandle yung pressure na yun, paano natin ihahandle yung laro na yun pero as of now, hangga’t hawak pa natin yung kapalaran natin just try to do always the right thing kase nga alam naman namin and na-prove naman namin na if you do the right thing, everything good will follow.” Coach Nani added.
The Rizal Memorial Coliseum is also the home for Coach Nani, where he won his 2001 NCAA regular season MVP award and brought his team to the Finals, but failed to win the title.
Staying Ready for Ivan
In an exclusive post-game interview with Rebanse, Ivan Panapanaan said that the key for them to survive in the Group of Death is just to stay ready.
“Ah siguro wala naman ah sabi nga ni Coach Nani, ‘Group of Death’, inaantay kami nung mga natalo namin and then yun paghahandaan nalang namin na mas maigi para makuha pa namin yung ibang panalo.”
With regards to his final game-winning basket, he mentioned that whatever happens, he was going to take it regardless of how much time was remaining, as he was just fulfilling his duty to leak out to the other side of the court to get the best available shot possible.
“Ah yung last play ko na tinira wala na eh, kahit anong mangyari buti pinasa sa akin ni [Sean] Salvador. Kahit anong mangyari ititira ko na yun kase wala na talagang oras, ma-shoot o hindi basta nagawa ko yung trabaho ko dito ayun buti naman pumasok sa .8 [second] something na yan.”
Panapanaan played 26 minutes and had 6 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal, and 5 blocks with only 4 points, with the last two being the most important.
