Bombers, Chiefs seek solo 2nd spot today

Resurgent Jose Rizal U and struggling Arellano dispute solo second spot today even as Lyceum tries to stay alive in the Final Four race in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Heavy Bombers will gun for their fourth straight victory in the 4 p.m. clash with the Chiefs who have lost their last two games.

The showdown could be a potential Final Four preview as both teams have the inside track in the race for a postseason berth. With San Beda poised to take the No. 1 spot and a twice-to-beat edge, the Bombers and Chiefs who hold 9-4 records could be left to battle for the other bonus.

It will be a rematch of the two teams’ memorable duel last month when they played to three overtime periods with JRU coming out on top, 99-98.

Sporting a 5-8 record, the Pirates collide with the already-eliminated Emilio Aguinaldo Generals at 2 p.m.

Lyceum is hoping to avoid a fifth straight loss and also keep its bid alive for a Final Four berth. With JRU, Arellano and St. Benilde already at nine victories, the Pirates no longer have their fate in their ends. But sweeping their remaining games at least gives them a fighting chance of landing a postseason berth.

The Generals have underachieved this season after posting a 10-8 record last year. Hurting EAC’s chances of turning its season around has been the continued absence of Noube Happi, who is nursing a back injury.

Without Happi, John Tayongtong and Jan Jamon have been left to carry the load for the Generals, who absorbed an 80-96 loss to the San Beda Red Lions last Monday.

The Bombers are coming off an 80-76 overtime win over Perpetual Help last Friday. With Jaycee Asuncion and Philip Paniamogan finding their rhythm late in the season and Michael Mabulac finally asserting himself, the Bombers have emerged as solid contenders.

Arellano is aching to regroup after losing to Perpetual Help and St. Benilde last week.

The Chiefs are hopeful guard Jiovani Jalalon has fully recovered from the ankle sprain he sustained against the Altas.

Jalalon and PBA Draft pick John Pinto are anchors of the Chiefs’ run-and-gun game.