JOSE RIZAL University (JRU) and San Sebastian College try to stay within striking distance of the leaders as they collide today in the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association seniors basketball tournament at the San Sebastian Gym in Manila.
The Heavy Bombers try to follow up on their 65-62 victory over the Letran Knights, 65-62, their second win against two losses, while the Stags hope to bounce back from a 73-78 heartbreaker to the Pirates that sent them to a 1-2 record. The two face off at 4 p.m.
Interestingly, the JRU-San Sebastian showdown will be a showcase between two of the league’s top teams in terms of defense.
San Sebastian is running second in terms of points allowed as it held its opponents to an average of 70 points a game—thanks to 25.3 turnovers (second best in league). JRU ranked third, with 71.3.
University of Perpetual Help placed No. 1 in defense by shackling its foes to 64.3 points a game.
And both coaches—JRU’s Vergel Meneses and San Sebastian’s Egay Macaraya—know they are in for a tough ride.
“San Sebastian has shown in the preseason and in its first few games in the NCAA that it is a dangerous team and we have to really play tougher defense to beat them,” Meneses said.
“JRU is a veteran team known for its defense and we have to be ready against them,” Macaraya said.