Last year’s runner-up Jose Rizal University (JRU) and College of St. Benilde try to make it two in a row when they tackle separate foes at the resumption of the 85th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament on Friday at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Heavy Bombers take on the Altas of the University of Perpetual Help in the 2 p.m. curtain-raiser, while the Blazers go up against the Mapua Cardinals in the 4 p.m. game

A victory by JRU and St. Benilde will put them in the company of San Sebastian College-Recololetos and guest team Arellano University at the top of the 10-team standings.

The Heavy Bombers are coming off an opening-day 69-66 squeaker over the Letran Knights, and coach Ariel Vanguardia is hoping his wards have learned the lesson of not lowering their guards even when they are ahead.

“We need to have a killer’s instinct if we’re going to succeed this season,” said Vanguardia, who is looking to steer the team to its first title since 1972, after coming up one win short last season.

“We cannot afford to play good basketball in the first three quarters and then relax, just like what happened in our first game, we need to play our best from start to finish.”

Vanguardia said he is banking on his veterans, led by JR Sena, Marvin Hayes, John Wilson and Marc Cagoco, to propel the team against the Altas, who are looking to bounce back from a 64-76 defeat against the Stags, also on opening day.

Meanwhile, despite winning their first assignment against Angeles University Foundation on Monday, coach Richard del Rosario said his Blazers still need a lot of improvement to achieve their initial goal of making it to the Final Four for the first time in seven years.

“We have a lot more to improve on and we need to have some maturity in our game,” said del Rosario, a former pro player, who is calling the shots for a team for the first time in his basketball career.

The Blazers are facing a Mapua squad coming off a 52-85 humiliation at the hands of defending champions San Beda Red Lions on opening day.