Lyceum of the Philippines University will head back to the hardcourt still without one of its main weapons as it takes on San Sebastian College-Recoletos on Tuesday in the NCAA Season 100.
The Pirates tangle with the Stags at 11 a.m. with JM Bravo yet to secure his clearance to play following the incident more than two weeks ago as both teams spearhead the league's return from a one-week break.
Meanwhile, Jose Rizal University and Arellano University will look to revive their Final Four hopes in their 2:30 p.m. encounter at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Without Bravo, the Pirates will shoot to end a three-game slide that saw the wards of head coach Gilbert Malabanan fall to Arellano University, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, and Mapua University as their once-bright semifinals hopes went vague following the temporary exit of Bravo and the one-game suspension of team captain Greg Cunanan.
Currently, the host school is at solo sixth with a 6-8 card and a victory over the Stags will see them forging a two-way tie at fifth with Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
All eyes will still be on John Barba as well as the backcourt duo of Renz Villegas and Mclaude Guadaña, who made his comeback last game after missing several games due to an ankle injury.
San Sebastian, on the other hand, is looking to make a last-ditch attempt to salvage their campaign. The lowly Stags, who are coming off a huge win over Arellano last October 27, are dead last in the team standings, featuring a 4-10 card, but remain in the hunt for a Final Four seat.
San Sebastian is also expected to have main gunner Paeng Are back after the veteran guard sat out last game to recover from a knee injury.
In the second game, two struggling squads in JRU and Arellano lock horns in a must-win game that could help them push their respective drives for the Final Four.
The Heavy Bombers hope to bounce back from an 83-70 loss to San Beda last Tuesday while the Chiefs are eyeing to recover from that setback against the Stags.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
