NCAA games resume on Tuesday after typhoon cancellations

MANILA, Philippines – After postponing two days of scheduled games last week due to Typhoon Falcon, the National Collegiate Athletic Association resumes regular operations on Tuesday, July 14 at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

NCAA had to cancel its Thursday and Friday fixtures because of the inclement weather that caused heavy rains and strong winds in the metro and suspension of classes in all levels.

As a result, the contest pitting Mapua Institute of Technology against Colegio de San Juan de Letran, the clash between Jose Rizal University and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, and the Arellano University versus College of St. Benilde showdown have been moved to the later part of the first round of eliminations.

The game originally penciled on Thursday featuring San Beda College against San Sebastian College-Recoletos and the match between Emilio Aguinaldo College and Lyceum of the Philippines University have also been rescheduled.

A double-header is set for Tuesday as the Arellano Chiefs take on the EAC Generals at 2 pm, while the JRU Heavy Bombers square off with the San Sebastian Golden Stags at 4 pm.

Following a disappointing season-opener against JRU, Jiovani Jalalon steered Arellano in nipping its first win by weathering Lyceum’s second-half surge, 80-78, on July 3.

On the other hand, EAC’s season debut was spoiled by the five-time defending champion San Beda College on July 2 as the Red Lions pounded the Generals with a 108-80 victory to remain unscathed in the ongoing double round-robin elimination.

To compound the misery, EAC tasted another defeat at the hands of Saint Benilde, 73-66, on July 7 as the Generals were disarmed by the Green Blazers’ ace shooter Jonathan Grey down the stretch.

“It is painful to lose twice in a row, but I believe it is more excruciating to lose three-straight,” EAC head coach Andy De Guzman admitted.

Team captain Francis Munsayac was not able to suit up for EAC as he received a one-game suspension due to the hard foul on San Beda’s Amiel Soberano when the De Guzman-mentored troop crossed paths with Saint Benilde.

“Francis is a big part of the team and not having him in the game against Saint Benilde was difficult,” De Guzman said on the former San Beda Red Cub, who registered 20 points in the lopsided affair with the Red Lions.

In the other game San Sebastian is still in the hunt for its first victory in the tourney and plays the Vergel Meneses-coached JRU, a contender squad that has a 1-1 record in the team standings.

– Rappler.com