MANILA, Philippines - Jose Rizal U comes out of a two-week break as it takes on resurgent Emilio Aguinaldo today for a share of third spot with Mapua in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Bombers, who absorbed a 59-72 loss – their second against four wins – to the San Sebastian Stags two weeks ago, collide with the Generals at 4 p.m.
“Although we didn’t play that long, we made sure to stay in shape,” said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses.
Jose Rizal, however, will be up against an EAC squad that has won two of its last three games to improve to a share of fifth place with Letran on 2-4 (win-loss) slates.
Drawing strength from the prolific Emilian Vargas, the Generals rallied to pull the rug from under Perpetual Help (0-7), 78-66, last week.
Vargas, originally from EAC but transferred to University of Santo Tomas in the other league a few years back before deciding to return this season, exploded with 17 points in that game to carry his team through.
“We hope to sustain the momentum by playing aggressive,” said EAC mentor Nomar Isla.
The unpredictable Knights and the Arellano U Chiefs, for their part, clash in the other game at 2 p.m. to remain in the hunt for a Final Four berth.
The Chiefs are reeling from a 58-69 defeat to the Stags Wednesday for their fifth setback against two wins, half a game behind the Knights’ 2-4 card.