JRU beefs up frontcourt with HS stars Paul Enal, Martin Pineda

Published April 2, 2024 5:33pm

Updated April 2, 2024 5:33pm

Jose Rizal University continued its busy offseason with the addition of the frontcourt duo of Paul Enal and Martin Pineda as the Heavy Bombers gear up for NCAA Season 100.

JRU head coach Louie Gonzales welcomed the two homegrown talents on Tuesday just weeks after Enal and Pineda wrapped up their stints in the juniors ranks with the Light Bombers.

Both Enal and Pineda were included in the Season 99 juniors basketball Defensive Team with the former bagging the Defensive Player of the Year for second consecutive season. Enal, who also won the plum in Season 98 alongside George Diamante, posted 12.75 points, 10.75 rebounds, 1.75 assists, 1.25 blocks, and 0.5 steals in the Light Bombers’ 3-6 win-loss finish.

Pineda, meanwhile, was their leading scorer with 13.75 markers on top of 2.63 boards, 1.25 dimes, 1.75 rejections, and 0.63 steals.

They are tipped to provide depth to JRU’s frontcourt alongside veterans Joshua Guiab, Vince Sarmiento, and Marwin Dionisio.

Enal and Pineda are the latest recruits of Gonzales after securing the commitment of  Negrense standouts John Loyd Martinez and Shannon Sealey, who both saw action for Bacolod Trinity Christian School.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News