CEBU, Philippines - In line with its thrust to bolster its men's basketball program, the Jose Rizal University (JRU) will conduct an open tryout from 1 to 3 pm today at the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) gym.
The JRU Heavy Bombers, who made it to the NCAA Final Four for two consecutive years already, is undergoing a major buildup as six of their top players are graduating this year.
The tryout is open to all interested graduating high school student-athletes who have stamina, fighting spirit and winning attitude to become varsity players for the next NCAA season.
The general selection process will be handled by Philippine basketball great and current JRU head coach Vergel "The Aerial Voyager" Meneses. He will be joined by team consultant Derek Pumaren, JRU athletic director Paul Supan and assistant coach Jun Tiongco.
Those who are fortunate enough to make it to the JRU varsity squad will enjoy full athletic scholarship, free dormitory and related allowances.
In its storied history, JRU has produced five basketball Olympians in Eduardo Fulgencio (1948),
Florentino Baustista (1952), Mariano Tolentino (1956), Edgardo Roque (1960, 1964) and Elias Tolentino (1964, 1968).
Aside from Meneses, the other notable JRU cagers in the past include Philip Cezar, Estilito Epondulan (1990 NCAA senior MVP) and Johnedel Cardel to name a few. (FREEMAN)