Bombers, Knights clash in vital match

Games today (Filoil Arena, San Juan)

12 noon – JRU vs Letran (jrs)

2 p.m. – JRU vs Letran (srs)

4 p.m. – Mapua U vs EAC (srs)

6:30 p.m. – Mapua vs EAC (jrs)

MANILA, Philippines — Jose Rizal U and Letran clash today in a duel of Final Four contenders with the former out to keep its hold of the third spot and the latter seeking to gain a share of it in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan. The Bombers kept their spot at 6-5 despite absorbing a 109-115 overtime loss to the Arellano U Chiefs last week while the Knights likewise stayed at joint fourth with the idle San Sebastian Stags (5-5) following an 82-88 defeat at the hands of the Perpetual Help Atlas last Friday.

That should make their 2 p.m. match interesting with at least four teams hot on their trail heading to the homestretch of the double-round elims.

Lyceum of the Philippines University and San Beda have clinched the top two spots in the semis with 11-0 and 10-1 cards, respectively, leaving the fight for the last two Final Four seats among six teams.

The Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, the Altas and the Chiefs all tote 4-6 marks, guaranteeing a fierce chase for the two other semis seats.

JRU coach Vergel Meneses admitted it was a tough loss but vowed to move on.

“There were some breaks late in the game that didn’t go our way,” said Meneses. “But we should move on because this is a long tournament and we couldn’t afford to dwell too much on the past.”

Meanwhile, EAC tries to bolster its bid as it plays cellar-dweller Mapua at 4 p.m.

The Generals fell to the Stags, 69-81, last Friday but remain the heavy favorites against the Cardinals, who have dropped 10 of their first 11 assignments.