JRU tries to boost Final Four hopes

MANILA—San Beda guns for a share of second spot even as Jose Rizal U tries to boost its Final Four bid against Perpetual Help Friday in the 87th NCAA basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Lions hope to flash their sharp forms against the Arellano Chiefs in the main game at 4 p.m. and tie idle Letran at 12-2 behind unbeaten leader San Sebastian.

The Bombers earlier shoot for a fourth straight victory against the Perpetual Help Altas at 2 p.m.

Once mired in a five-game slump, the Bombers sprang back into contention with victories over Arellano, St. Benilde and San Beda in the last two weeks.

And with other Final Four hopefuls Mapua and Lyceum struggling of late, the Bombers are now in a better position to nail the last postseason berth.

The Bombers will be seeking payback against the Altas, who beat them, 79-77, in triple overtime last July.

Forward George Allen delivered the game-winning shot for the 4-12 Altas, who can kiss their Final Four hopes goodbye with a loss Friday.

The Lions, buoyed by Garvo Lanete’s 20 points, vented their ire on the Cardinals, 76-59, last Wednesday.

But Arellano can take hope at the fact that the Lions have looked vulnerable at times this season without last year’s Most Valuable Player Su Daniel, who has been sidelined by a knee injury. San Beda is also making do without small forward Anthony Semerad.

“Almost all of the people are saying Su is not there but they’re forgetting the fact that Anthony is also out,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim, who had expressed concern over his team’s ability to control the boards.

Lim stressed the need for the rest of his squad to rise to the challenge just like what Baser Amer and Mar Villahermosa did against the Cardinals.

Amer and Villahermosa combined for 24 points as they joined forces in the second-quarter breakaway.

“After Garvo (Lanete), I don’t have anyone else so I told them everyone must step up,” Lim said.