Games this Friday
(The Arena, San Juan City)
10 a.m. — CSB vs Mapua (Jrs)
11:45 a.m. — Jose Rizal vs EAC (Jrs)
2 p.m. — CSB vs Mapua (Srs)
4 p.m. — Jose Rizal vs EAC (Srs)

Last year’s runner up Jose Rizal University tries to remain in the hunt for the last twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four when it collides with also-ran Emilio Aguinaldo College this Friday at the penultimate day of the elimination round in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Heavy Bombers face the Generals at 4 p.m. with the aim of capping their elims campaign with a victory that will keep them in the race for the second semis bonus.

The Bombers’ bid for that semis advantage suffered a blow last Wednesday after absorbing an 84-78 defeat at the hands league leader San Sebastian Stags, who eventually bagged the first semis advantage after hiking their win-loss card to 16-1.

With 14-3 card, the third-running Bombers need to win today and hope that the second-running defending champion San Beda College (15-2) loses its final match against the Stags to force a rubber match for the No. 2 spot and the semis bonus.

The Red Lions’ final assignment will be against the Stags on Oct. 12, the last day of double-round eliminations.

Should there be a sudden-death encounter, it will be scheduled on Oct. 14, the same day the much-awaited cheerleading competition will be held also at The Arena.

Clashing in the first game at 2 p.m. are College of St. Benilde and Mapua, which appeared to have found its rhythm late in the season.

After lying in the cellar of the 10-team tourney for sometime, the Cardinals went on a three-game binge and are now at 7th with 5-12, just half a game behind sixth placers CSB and EAC (6-11).

The Cardinals, though, should expect a rough sailing against the Blazers, who managed to pull off an inspiring 67-59 win over Perpetual Help despite a 13-day layoff and the continued absence of its big guns, including its No.1 scorer Jeff Morial.