Heavy Bombers tries to keep pace with two teams; Battle of Intramuros part 2

Jose Rizal and Mapua try to keep their place in the magic four as the two take on Perpetual Help and Letran, respectively, today in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Bombers appeared comfortable for now at third place with a 7-2 (win-loss) slate and a win over the winless Perpetual Help Altas (0- in their 2 p.m. duel would push them closer to the pace-setting San Beda Lions (9-0) and the San Sebastian Stags (8-1).

The Cardinals, in contrast, are barely holding on to No. 4 with a 5-4 record, or just a breath ahead over the Arellano U Chiefs (4-5), and a triumph over the dangerous Letran Knights, currently at No. 6 with a 3-6 mark, would keep its place.

Drawing strength from Nate Matute’s career best 22-point effort, Jose Rizal walloped Letran, 76-60, Friday in a performance coach Vergel Meneses hopes they would sustain against the Altas.

“If we play with the same fire we showed against Letran, we will have no problem,” said Meneses.

Perpetual Help, which is seeking to end an alarming skid, however, will be playing without Arnold Danganan, its top scorer who will serve out a one-game suspension for a pair of technical fouls he was assessed in a 70-79 loss last Aug. 16.

It was actually Danganan’s third flagrant foul, two more and he would be banned for the league for the rest of the season, according to league commissioner Aric del Rosario.

Mapua, in contrast, is hoping to snap out of a two-game slide following stinging defeats to Jose Rizal, 54-61, a week ago and Arellano in a fight-marred 72-76 result Friday.

Mapua’s Reserve Raymark Cabrera will also serve the first of a two-game suspension slapped on him for throwing a punch right after the Mapua-Arellano U game.

Arellano U’s Erwin Catapang was also assessed a two-game ban for throwing the ball to Cabrera while teammate Vergel Zueleta will have to be shelved for one game for instigating a fight.

The Cardinals would also have to contend with the punishing defense the Knights, who are hoping to breathe new life to their flickering Final Four hopes with a 3-6 card, are always known for when the two clash at 4 p.m.

NCAA.org