GAMES FRIDAY (Cuneta Astrodome)
10 a.m.—SBC vs. Letran (Jrs)
11:30 a.m.—Mapua vs. JRU (Jrs)
2 p.m.—PCU vs Letran (Srs)
4 p.m.—Mapua vs. JRU
MANILA, Philippines—Letran takes on Philippine Christian University and Jose Rizal University battles Mapua Institute of Technology in a pair of crucial matches on the penultimate playdate of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Unable to replicate the form that propelled them to the lead in the first round, the Letran Knights are hard-pressed to win against the PCU Dolphins in the 2 p.m. match and secure at least a tie for the last Final Four berth.
The JRU-Mapua clash at 4 p.m. is equally important as the JRU Bombers can clinch a spot in the semifinals with a victory over the Mapua Cardinals.
Mapua can forge a three-way tie for a semifinal berth by beating JRU, which dealt the Cardinals a 68-52 defeat in the first round.
“We have to dig deep if we want to beat JRU,” said Mapua coach Leo Isaac, whose team has won its last two matches by double-digit margins.
