Looking to Bounce Back, JRU Finds Perfection in Jamhir Eligado
Coming off a tough loss, most teams look for a spark. Jose Rizal University found something far rarer on Tuesday: absolute perfection.
Smarting from a stinging defeat at the hands of San Beda, the Heavy Bombers responded with emphatic authority, rolling past Lyceum of the Philippines University, 94-69, to forge a share of the Group A lead at 3-1.
Leading that clinical charge was Jamhir Eligado, who put together a masterclass in efficiency that the league hasn’t seen in recent memory. The versatile forward delivered a monster double-double of 22 points and 16 rebounds—shooting a spotless 10-of-10 from the field.
For Eligado, however, the historic stat line wasn’t about putting on an individual clinic. It was about wiping the slate clean after their setback against the Red Lions.
“After nung loss namin sa Beda, alam namin na kailangan namin agad mag-bounce back,” Eligado told All-Star.
“Nag-usap kami as a team na huwag na masyadong dalhin yung nangyari sa previous game at mag-focus sa mga kailangan naming ayusin. Personally, mindset ko lang talaga was to come in focused, do my role, and help the team in any way I can. Kailangan lang talaga namin maglaro together and execute.”
That disciplined focus translated directly to the hardwood. Alongside Lawrence Mangubat’s 23-point explosion, Eligado carved up the Pirates’ defense by simply taking what the game gave him, never once forcing a shot.
“Honestly, hindi ko naman iniisip na kailangan kong maging perfect sa shooting. Every time may opportunity, shoot lang ako with confidence and trust sa preparation,” Eligado told All-Star.
“Habang tumatagal yung game, napansin ko na pumapasok talaga lahat, pero hindi ko na rin masyadong inisip yung stats. Nag-focus lang ako sa next play and kung ano yung kailangan ng team. I think malaking factor din yung mga teammates ko na patuloy na nagbibigay sa’kin ng confidence.”
Yet Eligado’s imprint went far beyond his flawless shooting stroke. Against a bruising Lyceum frontline, he anchored the paint with 16 massive rebounds, continuously securing extra possessions and denying the Pirates any rhythm on second-chance opportunities.
“Malaking bagay talaga yung rebounding, especially against a team like LPU na physical din sa loob,” Eligado told All-Star.
“For me, hindi lang naman scoring yung kailangan kong i-contribute. Kailangan ko rin maging active sa boards para mabigyan namin ng extra possessions yung team at ma-limit yung second-chance opportunities nila. As long as may chance akong makatulong sa rebound, talagang lalabanan ko. At the end of the day, team effort talaga yung panalo namin.”
In a short tournament format where momentum can vanish after a single bad outing, JRU answered their first real test of adversity with their most dominant performance yet. And with Eligado anchoring both ends with lethal precision, the Heavy Bombers proved their ceiling is as high as anyone’s in the pack.
