85th NCAA
Game Monday
(The Arena, San Juan City)
3:30 p.m.- Jose Rizal vs San Sebastian (srs)
And without Aquino, San Sebastian struggled and dropped a 72-65 loss to upset-conscious JRU.
“He’s the heart and soul of the team. He would be a vital part in this game," SSC coach Ato Agustin said of Aquino, the second leading scorer in the league with over 20 points a game.
JRU coach Ariel Vanguardia said they should be ready for Aquino’s return in the 3:30 p.m. you-or-me match as they bid to beat San Sebastian for the right to face the Lions in the best-of-three championship.
“I must admit that our zone defense worked (the first time) because Aquino was not there. He’ll be a big problem when he returns," said Vanguardia, seeking to set a return engagement with No. 1 San Beda, which had already advanced following its 82-76 win over a Rey Guevarra-less No. 4 Letran last Friday.
“If we keep on playing the way we did in the Final Four, we’ll have a strong chance of repeating against them (Stags)," the JRU mentor added.
Jose Rizal’s Jhe Agas, center, loses the ball against three San Sebastian defenders during their first meeting in the 85th NCAA Final Four last Friday at The Arena in San Juan. Mike Taboy
