Bombers try to extend hot streak vs Generals

MANILA—Although assured of a Final Four berth, Jose Rizal University hopes to carry its winning streak to the next stage of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

The Bombers, who just a month ago looked out of it after a 3-9 start, try to sustain their remarkable climb against Emilio Aguinaldo College at 11:45 a.m. on the penultimate day of eliminations at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Eliminated teams Lyceum and St. Benilde collide in the second game at 4 p.m. bidding to end their season with a victory.

“We were already overlooked when we started with consecutive losses,” said JRU coach Vergel Meneses. “But now I think the boys want to prove something.”

The Bombers strung up five straight wins in the second round of eliminations to leapfrog past Mapua, Lyceum, St. Benilde and Arellano for the last Final Four seat.

San Sebastian (16-1) and San Beda (15-2) secured the top two berths to claim the twice-to-beat bonus, while Letran (14-4) clinched the third spot.

Meneses said the Bombers turned their campaign around after overcoming their initial problems, including lack of teamwork.

“At first I let them do what they want, but when we started losing, I think they realized that we have to work together and follow our system,” said Meneses.

The Bombers are coming off a 78-64 rout of the Cardinals last week where Alex Almario and Raycon Kabigting combined for 30 points.

“In our five-game run, different players have exploded,” said Meneses. “We really want to have a balanced scoring. We want everyone to get touches.”

St. Benilde and Lyceum, meanwhile, try to break their 6-11 tie to join idle Mapua for a share of the fifth spot. It had been a more difficult run for the Generals, though,  who fell to the bottom of the standings at 4-13.