San Beda collides with JRU; Benilde faces EAC

InterAKTV/Justin Gener

Heavyweights San Beda and Jose Rizal University clash in a blockbuster showdown in the main offering of NCAA Season 88 Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Heavy Bombers currently share top spot with San Sebastian with a 6-1 win-loss record, while the Red Lions sit at solo second at 5-1. They clash at 6 p.m. after the opening match between College of Saint Benilde and Emilio Aguinaldo College.

San Beda coach Ronnie Magsanoc is wary of JRU. “We’ll just have to be ready. They have a very tough zone press. It will all boil down to execution and composure,” he said.

Ola Adeogum, Jake Pascual, Rome Dela Rosa, Baser Amer, and Art Dela Cruz are expected to take up the cudgels for the Red Lions, who are dedicating all their games this season to the memory of Marc Andrei Marcos, the freshman student from San Beda College of Law who died from injuries he suffered during fraternity initiation rites in Dasmarinas City, Cavite earlier this week.

The Heavy Bombers, led by star swingman Nate Matute, will try to get back the solo top spot against the back-to-back defending champions.

Meanwhile, Saint Benilde will try to bounce back from a sorry 77-72 loss to JRU when it takes on EAC.

The Blazers will once again rely on the steady backcourt of Carlo Lastimosa and Joel Tolentino against the struggling generals, who are on a seven-game losing streak.

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