Chiefs seek repeat over Altas, tie for NCAA lead

Arellano shoots for a share of the lead today when it tangles with dangerous Perpetual Help even as Jose Rizal U looks for back-to-back wins in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

A victory in the 2 p.m. clash with the Altas will boost the Chiefs to the lead with the San Beda Red Lions, who held off St. Benilde, 78-54, last Saturday for their 10th win.

But the Altas (7-4) are expected to pull out all the stops as they target solo third spot which they currently share with the Heavy Bombers.

JRU goes up against Lyceum at 4 p.m., looking for its eighth win in 12 games.

The Bombers are coming off a 73-54 whipping of the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals last Friday.  Coach Vergel Meneses expects more from his team with the Final Four race heating up.

“We have to be consistent,” said Meneses in Filipino. “We cannot take teams for granted.”

Meneses hopes Michael Mabulac continues his solid play after the hardworking big man notched 18 points and grabbed 14 boards in the win over the Generals.

The Bombers will also be seeking payback from their 80-84 loss to the Pirates in the first round. The game is also crucial for sixth-ranked Lyceum as it tries to stay in contention for a Final Four.

The Pirates boast a promising big man as well in Joseph Gabayni who has consistently dished out double-double outputs in points and rebounds and is only in his rookie season. The 6-foot-5 banger had 11 points and 14 boards in the loss to Perpetual Help.

The Chiefs are coming off an 80-79 victory over the Mapua Cardinals last Monday in a game where John Pinto fired a career-best 26 points.