Basketball
Mapua, Perpetual look to bounce back from losses; JRU eyes solo lead vs Lyceum
AKTV/Paul Ryan Tan
Three of the four teams seeing action today are aiming to bounce back into the winning column after dropping their last assignments.
The Mapua Cardinals, coming off a 66-60 defeat from the hands of Letran, will face a daunting task in the vastly improved Perpetual Altas.
After more than a week of preparation, Mapua coach Chito Victolero and the rest of the Cardinals will have to match up with the bench depth the Altas have been showing lately.
Josan Nimes, the Cardinals’ leading offensive option, will have to lead the charge in order for Gab Banal, Mike Parala and the rest of the team to follow.
Perpetual coach Aric Del Rosario will try to bring back his brand of magic against Mapua. Jett Vidal and Earl Thompson, the key pieces in the Altas offense, will need to play a notch higher as they try to claim win number five after dropping their last assignment against JRU.
In the other match, the JRU Heavy Bombers will try to win back-to-back games and grab the solo lead when they meet the Lyceum Pirates in the nightcap.
Nate Matute, who had steady support from Alex Almario and Byron Villarias in their last outing will have to make the team work as a whole. They will be up against the tough Pirates led by Chris Cayabyab, Shane Ko and a comebacking Rich Guevarra, who missed their last game – a loss to San Sebastian – due to a one-game ban.
