JOSE Rizal seeks to keep its stranglehold of third spot as it tackles an already-ran College of St. Benilde even as Perpetual Help hopes to breathe life to its sagging Final Four campaign as it faces defending champion San Beda today in the 93rd NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Arena in San Juan City.
The Bombers downed the Altas, 85-52, on a career 18-point performance by MJ dela Virgen Friday that kept the former at No. 3 with an 8-6 record and another triumph in their 4 p.m. duel with the Blazers, who are already out of it with a 3-11 slate, would further strengthened its grip on their lofty perch.
“If we keep playing with the same intensity as we did the last time, we have a chance,” said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses.
While Jose Rizal aims to keep its winning ways going, Perpetual Help desperately tries to claw its way back to Final Four contention after sliding to its ninth defeat against four victories following an embarrassing defeat to the former.
Perpetual Help takes on Mapua on Oct. 5, Arellano University on Oct. 12, Emilio Aguinaldo on Oct. 19 and the postponed game against San Sebastian in a still unspecified playdate.
Altas mentor Jimwell Gican said they have no choice but to sweep their remaining games.
“All our remaining games are a must-win for us,” said Gican.
But it will be a tall order pulling the rug from under San Beda, which trounced Arellano University, 83-72, Thursday to book the second Final Four seat and a twice-to-bead advantage there with a 13-1 card.
Lyceum of the Philippines University leads the way with a pristine 15-0 mark.
If there’s anything going right for the Altas, they nearly beat the Lions in their first-round showdown before imploding in the end to suffer a 53-57 defeat on Aug. 17.
Perpetual Help parted ways with coach Nosa Omorogbe and promoted Gican and there’s a chance it could benefit the team.
Games today (Filoil Arena, San Juan)
12 nn.- UPHSD vs San Beda (jrs)
2 p.m.- UPHSD vs San Beda (srs)
4 p.m.- CSB vs JRU (srs)
6 p.m.- CSB vs JRU (jrs)