Jose Rizal University tries to regain its winning form as the Heavy Bombers host the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals in the 95th NCAA men’s basketball tournament on Thursday at the JRU Gym in Mandaluyong City.
JRU is still smarting from a 95-77 loss to Lyceum last week that ended a two-game streak following an 0-2 start.
That game was marred by the ejection of Jose Rizal coach Louie Gonzales and guard Agem Miranda in the second half.
While Gonzales was spared of suspension, Miranda will be serving a one-game suspesion after a punching foul on Lyceum’s Beirn Laurente.
“The suspension of Agem Miranda is upheld, while coach Louie Gonzales can coach with a very stern warning that repetition of similar situation would merit an automatic suspension,” said NCAA Management Committee chairman Peter Cayco in a statement Wednesday.
Gonzales, Cayco said, is set to appear before the him and commissioner Tonichi Pujante before the JRU-EAC game.
The game between the Bombers and the Generals is set at 4 p.m., right after the 2 p.m. match of the Light Bombers and the Brigaders.
Without the sophomore Miranda, the Bombers will rely on John Amores, Marwin Dionisio, JL delos Santos and Stephan Steinl.
As for the Generals of coach Oliver Bunyi, the team is on a two-game slide after stunning last year’s runners-up LPU.
At 1-4, EAC is tied with host school Arellano University,
The team’s last defeat was against the Chiefs, 77-86, last Friday. (WAYLON GALVEZ)
