Arellano seeks a second straight victory against winless Emilio Aguinaldo College, even as Jose Rizal U tries to get its campaign back on track in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The league, which had two playdates postponed last week due to heavy rains, resumes with the Chiefs tangling with the Generals at 2 p.m., before the Heavy Bombers collide with the San Sebastian Stags at 4.
The Bombers, also 1-1, are determined to bounce back from a surprising 62-78 defeat to a pumped-up Letran squad.
But JRU faces a tough grind against a San Sebastian team that just fell short against Mapua, 86-88, in overtime last July 2.
After a sub-par performance on opening day last June 27, the Chiefs finally bared their fangs in an 81-78 dumping of the Lyceum Pirates last July 3.
Tasked to lead the Chiefs is spitfire guard Jiovani Jalalon who is near full fitness after hurting his shoulder while playing for the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Games.
Jalalon, who struggled against the Bombers on opening day, finally showed up with 20 points and 12 assists in the win over the Pirates, and coach Jerry Codiñera said how far his team goes this year will depend on the performance of his top playmaker.
“He’s the heart and soul of this team,” said Codiñera of the Cagayan de Oro-born guard who had a breakout season last year.
A win by the Chiefs will move them into the No. 4 spot, ahead of the idle Mapua Cardinals, who hold a 1-2 record.
The Generals, who bowed to the St. Benilde Blazers, 66-73, last Tuesday, welcome point guard Francis Munsayac back into the lineup after serving a one-game ban for a flagrant foul he committed in the loss to San Beda.