By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers bolstered their roster with two recruits from the Trinity-Davies Paint/El Tzino team that recently competed in the Smart-NBTC National Finals.

Heavy Bombers head coach Luis Jose Gonzalez said winger John Lloyd Martinez and center Shannon Sealey have both formalized their commitment to JRU on Monday morning, March 25.

“We are happy that they have appreciated our team and have decided to commit to us. They are definitely worthy additions to our team,” Gonzalez said.

Martinez, who hails from Negros Occidental’s San Enrique town, made a good impression during the NBTC Visayas Regional Finals with his average of 29.6 points per game.

The 6-foot-1 guard continued his solid outing for Trinity-Davies Paint/El Tzino in the 2024 Smart-NBTC National Finals, averaging 14.3 points, five rebounds and 2.7 steals.

Sealey, who was from Negros Occidental’s Sipalay City, tallied nine points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, and two steals for the Trinity squad in the NBTC National Finals.

The 6-foot-4 big man had his best outing in the week-long tournament against Arellano University Braves, where he recorded five blocks to earn the impression of Gonzalez.

Martinez and Sealey are the second and third Negrenses in the Heavy Bombers team, aside from former Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts forward Mart James Barrera.

Gonzalez said the two 19-year-old recruits will play alongside his veteran frontliners, Agem Miranda, Marwin Dionisio and Joshua Guiab, in the NCAA Centennial Season later this year.

The Heavy Bombers fell short of a Final Four stint in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament last year after finishing with a 10-8 win-loss record./ASC, WDJ