Stags take on Altas; Bombers seek semis berth vs Chiefs

Defending champion San Sebastian wants to continue its winning ways even as Jose Rizal University aims to bounce back from a devastating setback when they meet separate foes in the 86th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan. The Stags carry a 10-1 slate and is coming off an inspiring come-from-behind 64-59 victory over the Heavy Bombers on Wednesday. The Recto-based dribblers earned their second consecutive Final Four appearance after Arellano lost to St Benilde two days later. On Monday, the Stags take on lowly Perpetual Help Altas at 4 p.m. right after the game between the Heavy Bombers and the Arellano Chiefs at 2 p.m. San Sebastian went to top Most Valuable Player contender Calvin Abueva, Ronald Pascual and Jonathan Semira to overcome a 13-point deficit and complete a come-from-behind victory over the Mandaluyong-based dribblers. "We have been playing flat for most part of the season and we can't afford to do that all the time," said coach Ato Agustin, who was recently named as the new coach head coach of the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA. Once the PBA starts on Oct. 3, Agustin will have to give up his head coaching duties with the Stags as the pro league prohibits head coaches from handling teams from different leagues at the same time. The Stags barely escaped past the Altas in their first-round encounter, 73-69, and Agustin and his troop expect a tough grind against the Las Piñas-based cagers. JRU, on the other hand, guns for an outright semifinals berth against Arellano, but the Chiefs don’t want to become laid carpets against the Heavy Bombers, who carry an 8-3 mark. The Bombers will lean on Cameroonian big man Joe Etame, Raycon Kabigting and JR Bulangis. The Chiefs are locked in a tie with Letran for fifth place with identical four wins and seven losses records. The loss to the Blazers put coach Leo Isaac and his wards three games behind fourth-placer Mapua (7-4). Isaac is hoping to bring the best out of Adrian Celada, Jerald Lapuz, Vergel Zulueta and Isiah Ciriacruz against the Bombers. - RCJ, GMANews.TV