Stags, Bombers clash as six teams make NCAA debuts
It’s no secret that San Sebastian will depend heavily on shooting guard RK Ilagan and forward Allyn Bulanadi in men’s basketball of NCAA Season 95.
But coach Egay Macaraya believes that the duo will not be able to do it alone.
“I don’t want us to rely too much on RK and Allyn. We have to play as one cohesive unit if we want to contend for a semifinal spot,” Macaraya said.
The Stags definitely have the materials for a Final Four run, a lineup that will be tested against the Jose Rizal U Heavy Bombers on Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Frontliners Jessie Sumoda, Gelo Loristo and Ammar Cosari are ready to provide the ceiling that the Stags would need against the Bombers, who will have a new coach in former La Salle bench strategist Louie Gonzalez.
“But I agree that both of them (RK and Allyn) are capable of giving us a lift,” said Macaraya.
Ilagan is eager to make amends after playing in a tournament outside of the NCAA that caused the Stags to forfeit their first two games in the first round last season.
Finishing at 3-15 last year, the Bombers will have a new system under Gonzales, who will be expecting much from veteran guards MJ Dela Virgen and Aaron Bordon to keep them in contention.
Two matches will precede the Bombers-Stags faceoff with University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Altas clashing with the Mapua Cardinals at 2 p.m. after the College of St. Benilde Blazers and Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals take the floor at 12nn.
Even with the departure of league MVP Prince Eze, the Altas are still considered a tough nut to crack in their bid for a second straight Final Four appearance following their defeat against eventual champion San Beda in the semis last season.
But don’t the count the Cardinals out. They have brought in a winner in coach Randy Alcantara, who helped the Cardinals capture back-to-back NCAA titles during his playing days in the 90s.
Alcantara was also the architect of Mapua’s back-to-back championships in the junior ranks and just recently led the San Juan Knights-Go For Gold to the MPBL title.
“I have inherited a good team. I have to maximize the materials that we have to produce premium results,” said Alcantara.
