Bombers face Lions; Tams battle Archers

Jose Rizal University hopes to keep its impressive run going as it shoots for a title berth in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup Friday.

JRU coach Vergel Meneses, though, doesn’t want to put too much pressure on his overachieving wards especially since his Bombers face the favored San Beda Red Lions in the knockout semifinal match.

Game time is at 5 p.m. at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

UAAP heavyweights La Salle and Far Eastern University tangle in the other Final Four pairing at 3 p.m.

Led by returning guard Paolo Pontejos, the Bombers surprisingly topped Group A with a 7-1 record before disposing of University of the East, 76-67, in the quarterfinals Wednesday.

“We have everything to gain,” said Meneses. “We don’t want to put too much pressure [on ourselves], like we did in the quarters. We just want to enjoy the game and stay aggressive.”

San Beda coach Jamike Jarin also wants his NCAA champion Lions to brace for a tough duel with the Bombers.

“We have to bring in the energy,” said Jarin.

The Lions nearly blew a 20-point advantage in their sudden-death match versus the Letran Knights before holding on to a 75-72 victory.

La Salle and FEU also came off close encounters as the Green Archers nipped Perpetual Help, 81-79, while the Tamaraws survived a late run by Group B topnotcher Centro Escolar University, 73-68.