Bombers, Blazers seek piece of lead

MANILA, Philippines - Jose Rizal U and College of St. Benilde try to keep in step with early leaders San Sebastian and guest team Arellano U as they face Perpetual Help and Mapua, respectively, today in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Pulling off a 69-66 win over the Letran Knights in last week’s opener, the Bombers hope to do better this time as they battle the unpredictable Altas at 2 p.m.

The Blazers, who struggled past the Angeles U Foundation Great Danes, 87-76, last Monday, also shoot for their second win in row as they clash with the Mapua Cardinals at 4 p.m.

SSC and Arellano show the way in the early going of the tournament with 2-0 cards with the former upending three-peat champion San Beda, 83-77, and Letran, 81-73, respectively, last Wednesday.

Jose Rizal U coach Ariel Vanguardia, however, is wary of Perpetual’s charges and cautioned his wards not to be overconfident.

“I hope we’ll learn from our mistakes against Letran, we can’t afford to get too complacent,” said Vanguardia.

CSB coach Richard del Rosario likewise wants his team to raise the level of their game a notch higher against Mapua.

“Two things we need to improve on if we want to contend this year – toughen up inside and make our free throws,” said del Rosario.

While the Bombers and the Blazers target a piece of the lead, the Altas and the Cardinals hope to bounce back from lopsided setbacks to the Stags, 64-76, and the Lions, 52-85, respectively, last week.