NCAA Player of Week: Returning Ry Dela Rosa fuels JRU to third seed

MANILA, Philippines—Jose Rizal University had to compete without Ry Dela Rosa, who sustained a head injury during opening day against Letran, for most of the first round of the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament

In Dela Rosa’s return, however, the Heavy Bombers looked more formidable than ever.

JRU notched two wins this week to improve to an 8-4 record good for the third seed behind Dela Rosa, who earned the latest iteration of the Collegiate Press Corps’ Player of the Week.

The sharp-shooting guard fueled JRU to victories over San Sebastian on Friday and Arellano on Sunday, averaging 10.67 points and 2.0 rebounds in the process.

It was his outing against the Golden Stags, though, where he made a statement that he’s getting his rhythm back as he finished with 19 markers built on six made triples.

His triumphant return wouldn’t have been possible without his squad, he said.

“Definitely getting there for sure, just have to continue and put in extra work. My teammates and my coaches are really not pressuring me to get back, and I’m glad that it was showing and I’m just very thankful to be in this position,” explained Dela Rosa.

“These guys just know how to hold it down, they know the only way to win is to rely on one another and that’s just our thing, continuing to show the brotherhood we have.”

Dela Rosa ran past Lyceum’s Greg Cunanan, Arellano’s Jade Talampas and College of St. Benilde’s Migs Oczon for the weekly plum presented by San Miguel Corporation.