Mapua, J Rizal duel for final slot

MANILA, Philippines - Jose Rizal and Mapua clash today in the first of two knockout matches for the second finals berth in the 86th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Bombers, who finished No. 3 with a 12-4 (win-loss) slate, and the Cardinals, who wound up at No. 4 with a 9-7 record, square off at 4 p.m. with the winner going into another sudden death, this time with No. 2 San Sebastian on Friday.

The Stags finished No. 2 but were relegated to the stepladder semis as the San Beda Red Lions swept the double-round elims and headed straight to the championship round with a thrice-to-beat advantage.

San Beda will go into the best-of-five finals next week with a 1-0 edge as its incentive for the historic sweep.

However, coaches Vergel Meneses of JRU and Chito Victolero of Mapua both refused to look forward to a match with the Stags and instead put their focus on the task at hand.

“We’re taking it one game at a time, our attention is to win this game first before we think of anything,” said Meneses.

“Our focus is winning this game first, our preparation is centered against Jose Rizal,” said Victolero.

In juniors’ action, No. 1 San Beda (14-2) and No. 2 San Sebastian (12-4) try to arrange a best-of-three finals showdown as they take on No. 4 Letran (9-7) at 2 p.m. and No. 3 Perpetual Help (10-6), respectively.

The Squires needed to upend Jose Rizal, 87-73, Saturday and St. Benilde, 91-85, Monday to catch the last Final Four ticket.