Jose Rizal University will seek to further solidify its hold of the fourth spot when it takes on dangerous Emilio Aguinaldo College on Tuesday in the NCAA Season 99 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
JRU, currently holding a 9-6 slate, will put to test its mettle against EAC (8-7) at 3:30 p.m. while Colegio de San Juan de Letran (1-14) and Arellano University (2-12) will open the double-header at 1:30 p.m.
Both the Heavy Bombers and the Generals are coming off bounce back wins.
JRU eked out a 79-74 escape against an upset-seeking Knights squad last Saturday to recover from a previous game that saw the Bombers fall to rival De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. The Generals are fresh from a 77-64 triumph against the Chiefs to rebound from a loss to Mapua.
All eyes will be on the match-up between two veterans in Agem Miranda and King Gurtiza, who both rediscovered their touch to steer their respective squads to the victory.
Miranda dropped 17 points, four rebounds, and one assist while another seasoned guard in JL Delos Santos provided the spark with 14 markers, seven boards, three dimes, and one steal as JRU entered the Final Four frame anew.
Gurtiza was also on target against Arellano, churning out 23 points on 64.3 percent shooting alongside six rebounds and four blocks.
Meanwhile, both Letran and Arellano will continue to fight for pride after being eliminated already fro contention last week.
The defending champion Knights are reeling from a seven-game losing slump as the Muralla crew has been unable to follow up its breakthrough win last October 18 against San Sebastian College-Recoletos.
Playing through with a depleted roster due to the injuries to Kurt Reyson, Nicko Fajardo, and Andrey Guarino, Letran will take on Arellano that is also hungry to end its four-game dry spell with Lorenz Capulong, Jade Talampas, and Troy Valencia leading the show.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
