Jose Rizal tries to fan their hopes for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four with a win over an already-ousted Emilio Aguinaldo Wednesday in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Bombers are coming off a rousing 73-55 rout of the St. Benilde Blazers Friday that snatched them their 10th win in 13 outings and another win should keep them in the run for the important Final Four edge.
"That's our goal right now," said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses. "But more than that, we also want to get the needed momentum going into the Final Four."
Interestingly, Meneses will be pitted against a fellow former PBA star in Gerry Esplana, who took over the coaching reins from Nomar Isla starting in their 4 p.m. encounter.
Isla, for his part, was promoted by EAC as its representative to the Management Committee chaired by Frank Gusi of host San Sebastian, taking over from Mike Viado who is reportedly migrating to Canada.
Esplana thus 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 a group of former pros now coaching in the NCAA.
Letran, for its part, goes up against a St. Benilde that is already out of the Final Four race at 2 p.m.
Despite absorbing a 58-59 defeat to the Stags in a game they should have easily won, the Knights still have a wild chance to forge a playoff for the fourth and last Final Four berth if they could sweep their remaining three games.
To achieve it, the Muralla-based dribblers would also need to hope and pray that the Mapua Cardinals, holding on to the fourth spot like a leech with a 5-8 (win-loss) slate, drop their last three outings.
"It's not in our hands anymore," said Letran coach Louie Alas, who is in danger of finishing with his first season under .500.
The Blazers are already out of it all with a 4-9 card. (PNA)
