EAC puts JRU on brink of elimination

Source: Mark Giongco; Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines – Emilio Aguinaldo College put Jose Rizal University on the verge of missing the Final Four after a 71-65 win Thursday night in the NCAA Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Generals, already out of semifinals contention, finished this season with an 8-10 record, their best mark since joining the league in 2009. 

Happi Noube struggled on his shot but still came away with 14 points and 14 rebounds.

Altas need win vs Stags to enhance semis bid

Source: Joey Villar; Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines - Perpetual Help faces an uphill battle as it seeks to remain in the Final Four race against San Sebastian in a make-or-break bid on Thursday at The Arena in San Juan.

Tied with Jose Rizal U at fourth spot with 10-7 slates, the Altas battle the San Sebastian Stags (11-5) at the close of their double-round robin elims campaign, needing no less than a victory for at least a playoff for the fourth and last semis berth.

The Bombers are also in a must-win situation but unlike the Altas, the Mandaluyong-based squad will have a rather lighter assignment in the ousted Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals (7-10), also on Thursday.

Jose Rizal, Perpetual brace for crucial matches

Source: The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines -  Jose Rizal University and Perpetual Help gear up for a pair of crucial matches on Thursday when they close out their respective elims campaigns in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, both needing victories to assure themselves of at least a playoff for the last Final Four berth.

Between the two, however, the Heavy Bombers seem to have the inside track for the last semis seat as they will take on the ousted Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals (7-10). In contrast, the Altas will have a tougher opponent in the San Sebastian College side still in chase for one more win to nail the No. 2 spot and the other twice-to-beat advantage in the next round.

Bombers rip Stags, stay in Final 4 race

Source: Joey Villar, Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines - Jose Rizal fed on an explosive first half offensive and bucked repeated rallies by San Sebastian for an 82-74 victory that kept the Bombers Final Four hopes afloat in the 88th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City yesterday.

Byron Villarias unleashed a game-high 28 points he spiked with a season-high tying eight triples as the Bombers snared their 10th win against seven losses to move just half-a-game behind joint third running Perpetual Help Altas and Letran Knights (10-6).