Bombers, Stags try to keep lead

SAN SEBASTIAN and Jose Rizal U seek to firm up their lofty positions when they clash against teams in the bottom half of the standings today in the 88th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Tied on top with JRU with a 5-1 record, the Stags shoot for a sixth straight victory against the lowly Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals at 4 p.m., before the Bombers battle the dangerous St. Benilde Blazers.

The Bombers go into the game four days removed from their 85-71 conquest of the Lyceum Pirates.

But while JRU coach Vergel Meneses has been delighted at the way his team has been playing defense this season, the squad has also been prone to errors.

The Bombers threw away the ball 26 times against Lyceum and are averaging 23.3 turnovers a game.

The Blazers, in sixth spot with a 3-4 slate, are hoping to finish the first round strong, after a shaky start to the season.

“All we want is a fighting chance for a Final Four slot when we play in the second round,” said Blazers coach Richard del Rosario.

The Stags, who are coming off a resounding 91-70 triumph over the Arellano Chiefs last Saturday, are fancied to continue their mastery of the Generals, who have dropped their last six games.

With the trio of Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang and Ronald Pascual at the helm, San Sebastian has won its last five games by an average of 17 points.

However, coach Topex Robinson said the Stags cannot afford to rest on their laurels.

“We have to continue improving; it’s a long season,” said Robinson.

EAC suffered a meltdown in its last outing against Perpetual Help, losing 71-72 despite leading by 11 points in the last 90 seconds.