NCAA: Chiefs gun for No.2; Knights, Bombers collide

A share of the lead will be the top priority of Arellano University when it guns for its second straight win even as Jose Rizal University and Letran try to barge their way to the win column in the resumption of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan Monday. The Chiefs, one of the two newest members in the country’s oldest collegiate cage tournament, take on debuting College of St. Benilde Blazers at 2 p.m. followed by the match between the Knights and the Heavy Bombers at 4 p.m.

The Legarda-based squad started its season on a bright note after thrashing fellow newcomer Emilio Aguinaldo College, 82-72. Adrian Celada banged in 22 points and helped Arellano weather a late comeback by the Generals in the fourth quarter to secure the victory. It was also a rousing win for comebacking mentor Leo Isaac, who was forced to give up the coaching chores in the NCAA last season to assume the post as head coach for the Barako Bull Energy Drinkers in the Philippine Basketball Association. Isaac was the mentor of the Chiefs when they won back-to-back NCRAA titles from 2007 to 2008. Although slightly favored with a roster composed of Celada, Isiah Ciriacruz and 5-foot-1 point guard Leonard Anquilo, Arellano is cautious of the upset-minded Blazers squad of coach Richard del Rosario. JRU and Letran are both licking the wounds of their opening-day setbacks. The Heavy Bombers absorbed a sound beating at the hands of the San Beda Red Lions, 78-62, while the Knights fell short against defending champion San Sebastian Stags, 59-53. New JRU coach Vergel Meneses hopes to get the best out of his holdovers led by Marvin Hayes, Cameroonians John Njei and Joe Etame, and John Lopez in quest of a win. Letran, a perennial title contender the previous years, plays the unusual role as underdog, this time. Worse, the Knights will continue to lose their top gun -- Kevin Alas – who sprained his ankle. Multi-titled coach Louie Alas will rely on Jam Cortes, JP Belencion and Franz Dysam to keep the team’s long shot bid for a Final Four stint. - RCJ, GMANews.TV