JOSE Rizal University and San Sebastian seek to close in on the top two teams Lyceum of the Philippines University and San Beda as the two collide today at 4 p.m. in the 93rd NCAA basketball tournament, which goes to the San Sebastian Gym in Mendiola, Manila.
The Bombers want to follow up their 65-62 victory over the Letran Knights, 65-62, for their second win against two losses, while the Stags hope to bounce back from a 73-78 heartbreaker to the Pirates, sending them to a 1-2 (win-loss) record.
Interestingly, the Jose Rizal-San Sebastian showdown will be a showcase between two of the league’s top three best defending teams.
San Sebastian is currently second in points allowed as it holds down its opponents to an average of 70 points a game, thanks to 25.3 turnovers (second best in league) it is forcing, while Jose Rizal comes in third at 71.3.
Perpetual Help owns the league’s stingiest of defenses by shackling their foes to a norm of 64.3 points a game.
And both coaches Vergel Meneses of Jose Rizal and Egay Macaraya of San Sebastian know they’re in for a tough ride.
“San Sebastian has shown in the pre-season and in its first few games of the NCAA that it is a dangerous team and we have to really play tougher defense to beat them,” said Meneses.
“Jose Rizal is a veteran team known for their defense and we have to be ready against them,” said Macaraya.
Games today
(San Sebastian Gym, Legarda)
2 p.m.- San Sebastian vs Jose Rizal (jrs)
4 p.m.- San Sebastian vs Jose Rizal (srs)
