After losing the title they held for five consecutive years starting in 2010, the JRU Heavy Bombers made a triumphant return to the top by recapturing the athletics’ title in the National Collegiate Athletic Association on the year the school named after national hero Jose Rizal is celebrating its centennial year.
Under the expert handling of multi-titled coach Jojo Posadas, backed by two deputies, his former athletes Melbert Diones and Raul Abangon, the Mandaluyong-based Heavy Bombers mastered the opposition to finally regain lost glory.
Adonis Cordero, a discovery from General Santos City, was crowned Most Valuable Player.
“Walang kasing tamis ang panalo dahil nakamit namin sa taon na ipinagdiriwang ang 100-year founding anniversary ng JRU. This is our gift to school president Vincent Fabella and the entire JRU community,” said the 56-year-old veteran mentor.
Posadas, husband of track legend Elma Muros-Posadas, guided JRU for five straight years from 2010.
Harry Mark Diones won the MVP title in the 2013 and 2014 season, before the Bicolano won the gold in the triple jump in the SEA Games and National Open, where he set new Philippine record.
JRU bagged the title with 664 total points on the strength of its victories in long jump, triple jump, 800m, 1500m, shot put and 4x400m relay men, and won medals in other events.
The Heavy Bombers beat Mapua and Arellano University, who placed second and third, respectively, with 644 and 633 points.
Athletics’ director Paul Supan was all praises for the athletes.
“This is great. We regained lost glory in athletics the year JRU is celebrating its 100th year,” said Supan, who succeeded Delfin Asistio.
It was JRU’s sixth athletics’ crown in nine years under Posadas, who reaffirmed his billing as the premier athletics’ coach in the NCAA.
JRU produced some of the country’s finest athletes like the late PSC Chairman Mel Lopez, Olympians Mariano Tolentino, Edgardo Fulgencio, Edgardo Roque, Asian Gamer Francisco Calilan and PBA legend Philip Cezar.