MANILA -- Coming off from a two-week break, Jose Rizal University (JRU) will battle a resurgent Emilio Aguinaldo Friday afternoon in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at the Arena in San Juan.

The Heavy Bombers are raring to win this contest after losing to the defending champion San Sebastian Stags, 59-72 last July 30.

The wards of coach Vergel Meneses will square off with the Generals in the 4 p.m. main event as JRU eyes a share of third place with Mapua at 5-2.

“Although we didn’t play that long, we made sure to stay in shape,” said Meneses.

The Generals of coach Nomar Isla, for their part, is banking on prolific Emilian Vargas, who powered EAC in defeating Perpetual Help, 78-66, last week.

“We hope to sustain the momentum by playing aggressive and focused,” he said.

The unpredictable Knights and the Arellano U Chiefs will clash in the other game at 2 p.m. to remain in the hunt for a Final Four berth.

The Chiefs are reeling from a 58-69 defeat to the Stags Wednesday for their fifth setback against two wins, half a game behind the Knights’ 2-4 card. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)