NCAA cage wars: Four more squads get going
MANILA, Philippines — Vowing to improve on their performances last season, four more teams open their NCAA Season 90 campaigns Monday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Perpetual Help, which is coming off back-to-back Final Four finishes, gets going against a Mapua squad that absorbed a telling blow even before the season started.
The Altas, with Earl Thompson and last year’s top rookie Juneric Baloria back for another run, are fancied in the 12 noon clash with the Cardinals, who once again lost Josan Nimes to a knee injury just a few weeks before the start of the season.
Lyceum, harboring hopes of a first Final Four appearance since joining the league five years ago, tangles with Arellano in the 2 p.m. game.
The Pirates have a slew of promising rookies whom coach Bonnie Tan believes can contribute right away in their bid to improve from their 8-10 record last season.
The Chiefs have a retooled roster that features the returning Ice Ciriacruz and the much improved Prince Caperal who emerged as one of the league’s top big men last season.
Without Nimes, who also sat out last season, the wards of coach Atoy Co would have to rely on sophomore guard CJ Isit.
“What we can promise is to have a fighting team every game,” said Mapua coach Atoy Co whose Cardinals just won two games last season.
The Altas, with the ageless Aric Del Rosario at the helm, are looking to go further after watching their bid snuffed out by San Beda in the Final Four the past two seasons.
“It’s going to be hard to make the Final Four again, but I have players who work hard,” said Del Rosario.
After a solid Season 90 campaign where they beat the Top Four teams, the Pirates are hoping to be more than just giant slayers.
“The challenge is to really make the Final Four,” said Tan. “There’s pressure now to achieve that goal.”
The game against Lyceum will also be the NCAA coaching debut of former PBA star Jerry Codiñera who replaced Koy Banal early this year.
Meanwhile, Jose Rizal pulled off a 76-74 upset over defending champion San Beda at the start of the juniors basketball tournament at San Juan Gym.
Darius Estrella broke the deadlock with 1.8 seconds remaining, scoring on a backdoor play as the Light Bombers completed the stunning win that eased the pain of the seniors squad’s 49-57 loss to the San Beda Red Lions in the league opener last Saturday.
