Perpetual, SSC step up drives vs lowly teams

MANILA, Philippines - Perpetual Help and San Sebastian take on separate struggling rivals today, both looking for victories to enhance their respective campaigns in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

The Altas clash with the Mapua Cardinals in the 6 p.m. main game, hoping to sustain their impressive run that put them at solo third with a 4-1 card behind unbeaten Letran (5-0) and equally streaking three-peat defending champion San Beda (5-1).

The Las Piñas-based squad drew strength from another prolific effort from rookie Juneric Baloria as they downed the Arellano U Chiefs, 73-66, last Thursday.

Baloria, a 22-year-old native of Lanao del Norte who was discovered while playing pick-up ball in Pampanga, has been norming 21.8 points in the Altas’ first five games although coach Aric del Rosario stresses the need for his wards to improve their rebounding and defense.

“We won the last game because of our rebounding in defense,” said del Rosario in Filipino.

Mapua, meanwhile, tries to check its skid at 1-4 although coach Atoy Co will need a lot of motivation to fire up his squad against a surging Perpetual Help side.

Meanwhile, the Stags gun for their fourth win in six games and keep their hold of the fourth spot as they square off with the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, who are tied with the Cardinals at eighth place.