JRU tries to keep twice-to-beat hopes alive

MANILA, Philippines—Jose Rizal U hopes to stay in the fight for a semifinal bonus as it battles an Emilio Aguinaldo side that made a late-season coaching change Wednesday in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
 
The Bombers shoot for their 11th victory in 14 outings at 4 p.m. against the Generals, who will be coached by former PBA player Gerry Esplana. 
 
Esplana, the PBA rookie of the year in 1990, replaced Nomar Isla, who has been promoted as the school’s representative in the NCAA Management Committee. 
 
Letran tries to keep its slim Final Four hopes alive when it takes on St. Benilde in the first game at 2 p.m.
 
Notorious for collapsing in the endgame, the Knights are in danger of missing out on the postseason for only the first time in eight years. 
 
Letran bowed to San Sebastian, 58-59, last Monday in a game where the Knights led by as many as 15 points in the second half.
 
Coach Louie Alas can take hope in the fact that his squad composed of rookies and sophomores gave the Stags a tougher-than-expected battle. 
 
“We just lost the game in the last three minutes,” said Alas. “I can only hope that the players learn from the losses and use them in the game against St. Benilde.”
 
As it stands, Letran needs to win its remaining three games and hope that Mapua loses its last three outings to forge a playoff for the last Final Four berth. 
 
JRU also needs to win its remaining three games and pray that San Beda and San Sebastian don’t go beyond 13 wins to at least gain a playoff for a twice-to-beat bonus. 
 
JRU coach Vergel Meneses wants to pile up the wins, which he said, will give his team the confidence it needs to contend in the Final Four. 
 
Standing in his way is an untested coaching mind in Esplana, who joins Meneses, Chito Victolero of Mapua, Richard del Rosario of St. Benilde, Leo Isaac of Arellano U, Frankie Lim of San Beda and Ato Agustin of San Sebastian in the group of former pros now coaching in the NCAA.