Streaking Dolphins gun for 4th straight win

Philippine Christian University guns for its fourth straight victory as it plays winless Jose Rizal U today while Mapua and Perpetual Help eye a share of fourth place at resumption of action in the 82nd NCAA basketball tournament at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Dolphins are hot on a three-game streak after dropping their opening day game to the Mapua Cardinals, 42-47, making them the heavy favorites in their 1:30 p.m. encounter with the team seeing its first victory in three games.

The early surge by the Dolphins, who scored a come-from-behind 66-63 victory over the Perpetual Help Altas Wednesday, gave the 2004 champions a share of second place with San Beda at 3-1, half-a-game behind pacesetting defending champion Letran, which swept its first three games.

"We’re always going for the win but we have to respect all our opponents, even Jose Rizal, a team capable of beating any team if you’ll allow them," said PCU coach Joel Dualan in Filipino.

Dualan is expected to pin his hopes on the flashy tandem of 2004 rookie MVP Gabby Espinas and Jason Castro, who have been dishing out big games for the Dolphins. In PCU’s victory over Mapua, Dualan also drew a solid performance from Lei Navarro, who churned out a career-best 19 points.

"I always tell my players that this is not just the team of Gabby and Jason, it’s all about everyone, all the players have to contribute," said Dualan.

In the other seniors game, Mapua and Perpetual Help, bunched at fifth spot on 1-2 (win-loss) cards, hope to end a two-game slump as they two collide at 3 p.m.

After hurdling their opening day assignments, the Cardinals and the Altas dropped their next two games with the winner in today’s encounter joining idle San Sebastian, which rallied to beat St. Benilde, 89-85, in overtime Friday, in fourth place at 2-3.