JRU measures solidity over struggling Chiefs; Stags out to pounce on listless Altas

Defending champion San Sebastian seeks to solidify its grip of the second spot as it shoots for a victory over Perpetual Help today in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Spearheaded by MVP race leader Calvin Abueva and Jonathan Semira, the Stags erased a 13-point fourth quarter deficit to turn back the upset-conscious Jose Rizal Bombers, 64-59, Wednesday and keep their hold of No. 2 with a 10-1 (win-loss) slate.

This is the reason Stags coach Ato Agustin has been reminding his players to come up with a big start.

“We can’t always play like that because we know what we’ll happen,” said Agustin, who is coaching his last season with the Mendiola-based school in favor of a head-coaching job with San Miguel in the pros.

San Sebastian also hopes it learned from mistakes of the past after it struggled to beat a stubborn Perpetual Help side, still searching for a first win in 10 starts, in a 74-69 decision last July 2.

“We can’t underestimate anyone,” said Agustin.

Jose Rizal, for its part, hopes to get back on its feat following its heartbreaking loss the last time out as it faces off with a dangerous Arellano U in the main game at 4 p.m.

The Bombers were pushed to a third defeat against eighth loss by the Stags, or just a game ahead of the rallying Mapua Cardinals, who notched their seventh in 11 outings with a 74-65 win over the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals Friday.

The Chiefs likewise were coming off a painful 69-71 loss to the St. Benilde Blazers also Friday that sent the former reeling to their seventh setback against four triumphs.

Arellano U though remains in contention as it is seeking to catch-up, if not supplant, Mapua for the No. 4 slot with a barrage of wins starting with this one.

“We’ll look at it one game at a time,” said Arellano U coach Leo Isaac.