REELING from the suspension of controversial forward John Amores and 10 others, an undermanned Jose Rizal University goes on what is surely a mission impossible today when it faces San Sebastian College in the 98th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
The Heavy Bombers will field just six players in their 3 p.m. clash with the Golden Stags.
Also keen on moving on from an ugly fracas the last time out, College of St. Benilde seeks to notch a second straight win when it collides with Perpetual Help in the curtain-raiser at noon.
The league cracked the whip on Amores last Wednesday, suspending him indefinitely for attacking Blazers players three days ago.
JRU’s Jason Tan, Joshua Guiab, Jason Celis, Marwin Dionisio, Jan Abaoag, Jonathan Medina, Karl De Jesus, and Christian Gonzales were slapped with a one-game ban for their involvement in the melee.
The CSB-JRU tiff ended at the 3:22 mark of the fourth quarter with the Blazers leading 71-51 and was ruled as a won game for CSB that hiked its mark to 10-3.
Bomber RJ Arenal and teammate William Sy were also suspended three games, leaving Agem Miranda, Ry dela Rosa, and JL delos Santos, Pauloh Villarin, Mark Joson, and Janwell Famaranco to suit up for JRU.
“It’s an unfortunate situation but I can say I’m in a way proud that for the most part, our guys held it together and didn’t fight back because to us, we’re just trying to play basketball and our goal is to win a championship,” CSB coach Charles Tiu said. “We’re not out there to start fights or hurt people.”
“I don’t know their side but for our side, we just focus on basketball. We try to respect the game. We don’t ever teach anybody to hurt or punch anybody. Us coaches, we teach our players to play the game the right way, to respect your opponents, and you won’t see our guys do that. That’s all I can speak for,” he added.
San Sebastian, coming off a sorry 79-82 loss to San Beda University last Sunday, Rhinwill Yambing, Romel Calahat, Jessie Sumoda, and Ichie Altamirano to improve its 5-7 record.
The Stags edged the Bombers 72-68 in their first-round tussle last Oct. 28.
The Blazers, who will be without suspended Ladis Lepalam (one game), Mark Sangco and Chris Flores (three games), will count on Will Gozum, Robi Nayve, Miggy Corteza, and JC Cullar.
