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GAMES MONDAY (Cuneta Astrodome)
11:30 a.m.—CSB vs JRU (Jrs)
2 p.m.—CSB vs JRU (Srs)
4 p.m.—PCU vs Mapua (Srs)
MANILA, Philippines—Two teams that have belied their pre-season billing collide on Monday in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Second-running College of St. Benilde battles a Jose Rizal University squad seeking a breakthrough in three games at 2 p.m.
Mapua Institute of Technology shoots for a second victory in three games against Philippine Christian University in the second game at 4 p.m.
The JRU Heavy Bombers, last year’s third placers, have been unable to live up to the hype, bowing to Letran College and San Sebastian College in their first two games.
“We are lacking the killers’ instinct,” said coach Ariel Vanguardia, who ranked his team in the top three before the season begun.
“We have to be consistent; start strong and finish the game stronger,” he said, pointing out that the Bombers were outplayed by the Letran Knights in the opening half, paving the way for an 83-69 setback on opening day.
The Bombers also allowed the San Sebastian Stags to rally from nine points down at halftime to snatch the game, 57-54, Friday night. Center James Sena made 15 points for JRU in the loss, before fading in the final period.
The Blazers also lost their previous game against the Knights, 88-75. The defeat ended the two-game run of the Blazers, who repulsed PCU, 69-65, and University of Perpetual Help, 61-54, in their first two games.
“I think we must, more than anything else, have focus because this is our fourth game in nine days,” said St. Benilde coach Gee Abanilla, whose squad bowed to Letran despite getting double-digit numbers from Anjelo Montecastro, Gary Sevilla, Robbie Mañalac, Chuck Dalanon, and Jacob Manlapaz.
“I hope we could show more character by bouncing back after a loss,” Abanilla added.
The Mapua Cardinals subdued the Stags, 86-80, Wednesday after drawing 19 points and eight rebounds from hardworking skipper Neil Pascual.
Last year’s Most Valuable Player Kelvin dela Peña has played a support role on offense in the first two games, averaging nine points for the Cardinals and coach Leo Isaac expects a breakout game from his standout guard Monday.
