Mapua, JRU kick off Luzon-MM qualifiers

NCAA squads Mapua and Jose Rizal U tangle with separate rivals today at the start of the Luzon-Metro Manila qualifying phase of the National Collegiate Championship at Technological Institute of Philippines gym in Manila.

The Cardinals, who gained a spot in the qualifying phase after finishing third in NCAA Season 91, are heavy favorites as they square off with TIP at 4 p.m.

The Heavy Bombers, who reached the Final Four of the NCAA for the second straight season early this year, tangle with PATTS College at 2 p.m.

But the spotlight will be on Mapua’s Allwell Oraeme, the reigning NCAA Most Valuable Player who has reportedly been a subject of a recruitment tug of war by two schools in the UAAP.

The 6-foot-9 Oraeme averaged 15.6 points, 21.3 rebounds and three blocks last season.

The Heavy Bombers are aching to make the Elite Eight after missing out on the NCAA finals with a core led by Paolo Pontejos and Tey Teodoro.

Also vying for the two Elite Eight spots in the Luzon-Manila eliminations are National U, St. Claire College, Olivarez College, Lyceum Northwestern University and the North-Central Luzon winners.

Gaining automatic spots to the Elite Eight are UAAP champion Far Eastern U, NCAA titlist Letran, Cesafi-Cebu champion University of San Carlos Warriors, UAAP runner-up University of Santo Tomas and NCAA losing finalist San Beda College.  Cedelf P. Tupas