JOSE Rizal University (JRU) needs to overcome Mapua University in the second round of the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament to break away from the triple logjam at the top of the Group A standings on Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
JRU is tied with College of Saint Benilde and San Beda University with an 8-3 win-loss record, with the three teams yearning to close out its final two games strong to head to the quarterfinals with a twice to beat advantage.
The Heavy Bombers gun to pick up back-to-back wins when it faces the avenge-seeking Mapua Cardinals (6-5) at 5 p.m., after San Sebastian College-Recoletos (0-11) and Arellano University (5-6) match at 3 p.m.
JRU came off from a win against Lyceum, 81-78, with Renz Villegas and Jonathan Daileg scoring 20 and 15 points each to keep its twice-to-beat bonus bid alive in the “Group of Death.”
In JRU’s first encounter with Mapua, the Nani Epondulan-coached squad escaped the Chito Victolero-mentored team via a slim 65-64 victory on Sept. 14.
However, JRU needs to brace Mapua, which are a mentally tougher team now, previously holding a long six-game winning streak.
In the second round, the Cardinals need to halt their two-game skid after losing against Benilde and San Beda.
If the Cardinals managed to pull an upset against JRU, they could still be on the race for a twice-to-beat incentive.
Mapua’s Marc Cuenco and Yam Concepcion aim to lead the squad against the physical JRU side.
Before their clash, San Sebastian, which is already relegated to the play-in round, looks to mess with Arellano in Group B.
Arellano is tied with Emilio Aguinaldo College with a 5-6 record, while San Sebastian is still looking for its first win in the tournament.
The Chiefs need to win this match in order to retake their second-seed spot, but they need to brace for the win-hungry Golden Stags.
Colegio de San Juan de Letran is the sole team in both groups that has secured a twice-to-beat quarterfinals incentive.
