Walkover win firms up JRU drive

Games today

9 a.m. – Jose Rizal vs Mapua (Srs/Jrs)

1 p.m. – Lyceum vs Letran (Srs/Jrs)

MANILA, Philippines - Jose Rizal U will get a boost to its semifinal drive heading to the final week of the NCAA men’s basketball double round elims as it is set to notch its 11th win in 17 games with a walkover win over Mapua today.

Citing suspensions and injuries, the Cardinals are set to forfeit again their 9 a.m. match with the Bombers that would enable the Mandaluyong-based squad to tie the idle Perpetual Help Altas at third.

That would also drop St, Benilde, the other team locked in a three-way battle for the last two semis berths, to fifth although the Blazers, at 10-6, are expected to romp over their last two assignments against ousted Mapua and San Sebastian.

Melchor Divina, Mapua’s representative to the NCAA Management Committee, yesterday said four of the seven who are already eligible to play are injured.

CJ Isit has a fractured cheekbone caused by the punch of Emilio Aguinaldo’s John Tayongtong in their free-for-all last Sept. 22 that resulted to suspensions.

Returning from one-game suspension are Jerome Canaynay, Ronnel Villasenor and Darrel Magsigay.

But Villasenor has a back pain while Magsigay is also injured, leaving Canaynay, Joseph Eriobu, Jessie Saitanan and Jeson Cantos as the only players available for Mapua.

“We will forfeit our game against Jose Rizal because we have only four players who can play,” said Divina, who however, added that they hope to finally come up with at least five players on Monday against the Blazers.

Still suspended are Leo Gabo, Jomari Tubiano, Justin Serrano, James Galoso, Exeqiel Biteng and Andrew Estrella.

EAC players who were sacked in the aftermath of the brawl were Tayongtong, Jan Jamon, Ariel Aguilar, Jack Arquero, Sydney Onwubere, John Santos, Manelle Quilanita, Edsel Saluda and Faustine Pascual.

League commissioner Bai Cristobal also suspended and fined referees Molly de Luna, Menard Ballecer and Cholo Caoile for failing to control the tumultuous match, which was later awarded to the Generals, 86-77, with still 28.5 seconds to go.