JRU looks to stay on top against Arellano; Perpetual, Saint Benilde clash

AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan

Jose Rizal University will try to strengthen its grip of one of the top three spots when they open their second round campaign against the Arellano Chiefs at 4 p.m. in Season 88 of the NCAA at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

This will be followed by the rematch of the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Altas against the College of St. Benilde Blazers.

The Heavy Bombers, who got explosive performances from scoring duo Byron Villarias and Nate Matute will try to complete a sweep on the Chiefs.

Villarias, a product of Bacolod, and Matute, who hails from Las Vegas, Nevada, combined for 54 of the team’s total output in their 101-83 demolition job on Letran.

Coach Vergel Meneses expects his two offensive gunners to deliver consistently now that every game in the second round is crucial.

Arellano is coming off a 68-49 loss from the hands of Mapua. Rocky Acidre sizzled in the third period for 15 points to lift the Chiefs but Mapua, who came out hungrier for a win shut down the field production of the Legarda quintet.

In the other game, the Perpetual Altas, who surpassed the expectations of their supporters after posting six wins out of nine games in the first round will try to keep coach Aric Del Rosario’s magic going as they open up their second round campaign.

Usual gunner Jett Vidal, Earl Thompson and dominant center Femi Babayemi will lead the Altas’ charge.

Over at Saint Benilde, two players will not see action as they will serve the sanctions for their actions from their last outing.

Rhoel Maconocido will be out for one game for throwing an elbow above the shoulder of EAC’s Francis Munsayac. Spitfire guard Joel Tolentino will be serving a three-game suspension for a series of actions that instigated the melee during their last game.

Whether Carlo Lastimosa and Jonathan Grey will return to action for the Blazers today is still uncertain. Coach Richard Del Rosario will have to make do with his remaining wards in order to pull an upset over the Altas.

Mark Romero and Paolo Taha are expected to step up and fill in the shoes of those who will not be seeing action.

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