Bombers eye third place vs Cardinals

Jose Rizal U seeks to extend its winning run to four games today when it clashes with struggling Mapua in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

With a 5-3 record, the Heavy Bombers are favored in their bid for solo third spot during  the 4 p.m. duel with the Cardinals who have just one win to show in eight games so far.

Struggling over the past month, Emilio Aguinaldo College and San Sebastian collide at 2 p.m.

Expected to figure prominently in the Final Four race, the EAC Generals have underperformed this season, languishing at ninth spot with a 2-6 record.

The Stags, meanwhile, raised expectations with a 3-1 start to the season, but their form has dipped, leading to four straight defeats.

The Bombers, who have earned a reputation for grind out victories with their defense and steely resolve in the endgame, eked out an 81-79 win against the Generals last Friday.

From a double digit deficit early,  the Bombers unleashed a strong finishing kick.

Making the Bombers’ run even more remarkable is the fact that different players have stepped up, with Jaycee Asuncion, Bernabe Teodoro, Michael Mabulac and Philip Paniamogan all chipping in their share in the win.

The Cardinals were sent crashing back to earth by the Generals  after they stunned the Stags, 89-81, two weeks ago. But with Joseph Eriobu finally finding his form, coach Atoy Co is hopeful the Cardinals can start their turnaround before it becomes too late.

The Generals got another big game from John Tayongtong against the Bombers last Friday, but the guard also missed a triple at the buzzer that could have won them the game.

The Stags are coming off a 64-71 loss to the Lyceum Pirates, 64-71, last Wednesday.  Cedelf P. Tupas