JRU stakes clean slate vs San Sebastian; Lyceum battles Arellano

InterAKTV/Justin Gener

Jose Rizal University’s spotless win-loss card is on the line when the Heavy Bombers battle the dangerous San Sebastian Stags when NCAA Season 88 action continues Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

JRU and San Sebastian clash at 6 p.m. after the resurgent Lyceum Pirates and Arellano University Chiefs do battle in the curtain-raiser at 4 p.m.

The Heavy Bombers are coming off a 90-79 rout on the EAC Generals more than a week ago that saw Nate Matute set a new career-high of 30 markers.

San Sebastian, which is coming off a long layoff, was last in action in a 80-65 victory over Perpetual Help.

Stags coach Topex Robinson will be heavily relying on reigning Most Valuable Player Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang, and Ronald Pascual along with bench sparkplug Jovit Dela Cruz.

In the other match, Lyceum, which is coming off a dramatic 78-74 win over Mapua last Thursday, will try to extend its winning run to three games after dropping its first two matches. The Pirates, who offered the game to teammate Nelson Mendoza who lost his mom last week, defeated Emilio Aguinaldo College last Saturday for their first victory.

Tasked to lead the Pirates is the dynamic duo of Chris Cayabyab and Rich Guevarra, with scoring support from point guard Shane Ko.

“Basta kami, gusto lang namin manalo and malagpasan yung total wins namin last year,” said Lyceum coach Bonnie Tan, whose team won seven games last season. “Ma-sustain lang yung winning ways and ma-build yung character ng team ang goal namin dahil in a way, kami ang rookie team sa league right now.”

Meanwhile, Arellano is coming off a big win, its first in four tries, a 77-67 stunner over Letran last week.

Coach Koy Banal will be heavily relying on the steady game of Filipino-Canadian James Forrester to lead the team. The Chiefs are currently at the bottom of the standings in a three-way logjam with EAC and Letran with similar 1-3 slates.

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