MANILA, Philippines - Jose Rizal tries to fan its hopes for a twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four as it plays also-ran Emilio Aguinaldo today in the 86th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Bombers are coming off a 73-55 rout of the St. Benilde Blazers last Friday that hiked their win-loss record to 10-3, two games behind second-running San Sebastian heading into the last two weeks of the double-round elims.
“That’s our goal right now,” said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses. “But more than that, we also want to get the needed momentum going into the Final Four.”
Interestingly, Meneses will be pitted against a fellow former PBA star Gerry Esplana, who took over the coaching reins from Nomar Isla.
Gametime is at 4 p.m.
Isla, for his part, was promoted by EAC as its representative to the management committee chaired by Fran Gusi of host San Sebastian after Mike Viado decided to migrate to Canada.
Letran, meanwhile, tries to keep its flickering semis hopes alive as it takes on ousted St. Benilde at 2 p.m.