Heavy Bombers gun for solo lead vs Altas

Jose Rizal University shoots for the solo lead when it clashes with University of Perpetual Help College today in the 77th National Collegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Banking on the heads-up games of their veteran mainstays, the Heavy Bombers hurdled the first two assignments – the San Sebastian Stags and the Mapua Cardinals – to jump into the lead along with the defending champion St. Benilde Blazers.

Expect JRU coach Boy de Vera to call on old reliable players Ariel Capus and Ernani Epoundulan anew as they seek a third straight win versus the Altas at 5 p.m.

"They’re giving their best because this is already their last year in the NCAA," said De Vera of his two prized players.

But Capus, Epondulan and their teammates will likely have their hands full against the Altas, who are eager to bounce back from a disappointing 81-89 double-overtime loss to the Stags Thursday.

The exciting tandem of Gilbert Malabanan and Chester Tolomia, part of the Shark Energy Drink team which won the PBL Challenge Cup early this year, will again be at the forefront of UPHR’s offense.

Last year’s runner-up San Sebastian seeks a second straight triumph as it tackles winless Mapua Tech at 1:30 p.m.

In the juniors division, the defending champion Mapua Red Robins and the SSC Staglets dispute solo lead at 12 noon while the JRU Light Bombers tackle the UPHR Altalettes at 3:30.

Determination and experience pulled Jose Rizal past Mapua, 62-56, last Thursday for its second straight win. But coach Bay de Vera still saw several lapses that needed remedy to further boost its bid to end its 29-year title drought. — Joey Villar