JRU knocking on PBL door

Jose Rizal University (JRU) coach Ariel Vanguardia is convinced the time is right for the varsity to jump into the PBL bandwagon with the NCAA season opening just a few months from now.

"While other schools are pulling out of the PBL to prepare for the NCAA or UAAP, we’re ready to come in," says Vanguardia, a La Salle graduate who credits Louie Alas for giving him the break, Joel Banal the guidance and Bill Bayno the confidence in five years as a Talk ’N’ Text assistant coach in the PBA. "All we’re asking for is a chance to prove ourselves."

Vanguardia, 34, says the Heavy Bombers are well-armed to compete this year after losing only Floyd Dedicatoria to graduation and winding up second in the Homegrown Cup and third in the Champions League.

"We’ve got a strong nucleus," says Vanguardia. "We’re a team that’s on the rise. Two years ago, we finished last in the NCAA. Last year, we moved up from eighth to sixth in my first season as coach. Our 6-5 center James Sena was named to the mythical five of the Homegrown Cup. John Wilson, Jason Nocom, Maui Pradas and Mark Cagoco are some of our other reliables. We’re also bringing in five rookies, including Jose Rizal high school stars Reycon Kabigting and Carlo Lituania who were both in the mythical five of the NCAA juniors Final Four."

Vanguardia says he’s got a good feeling about JRU this season.

"The last time we won the NCAA championship was in 1972, the year I was born," he says. "That was when Philip and David Cezar played for the varsity. JRU is hosting this year’s NCAA season and the school is building a new gym. With our athletic director Paul Supan’s full support, things are really looking up for the team."

In the last two PBL conferences, Vanguardia was an assistant coach for Toyota Otis. But because of Toyota Otis‚ linkup with Letran and his job at JRU,

Vanguardia has opted to go full-time with the Bombers. Trying to negotiate an affiliation with a PBL team for JRU was a natural next step for Vanguardia.

"My ultimate goal is to end JRU’s championship drought but my immediate goal is to put an end to JRU being a farm team for other NCAA or UAAP schools recruiting our best players," says Vanguardia.

"Hopefully, our players and future recruits will stay in our program because we’re offering not only quality education but also proper training. We may not be giving the best perks but we’re assuring the parents of our players that we will guide them all the way as part of our family."

Vanguardia, who once attended a Duke University camp supervised by his idol coach Mike Krzyzewski and often exchanges notes with Australian national coach Brian Goorjian by e-mail, got his first bench job as a St. Benilde assistant coach in 1998. The next year, he was on the MBA champion Manila Metrostars‚ coaching staff. That led to his long stint with the Phone Pals.

"I believe the JRU Heavy Bombers are ready to explode," says Vanguardia. "Our battlecry is Bring Back ’72 in 2K7!"