MANILA, Philippines - Resurgent St. Benilde tries to make it three-in-row as it tangles with a skidding Mapua side while Emilio Aguinaldo College and Arellano U clash in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan today.
After dropping their first five games on average losing margins of 1.4 points, the Blazers seemed to have learned how to close out games, beating the Lyceum Pirates and the Chiefs.
They hope to make it three straight against the slumping Cardinals in their 4 p.m. encounter.
“Every game is a learning process for us,†said St. Benilde coach Gabby Velasco. “And we’re glad we’re all learning as the tournament progresses. We hope we continue to win and learn at the same time.â€
While the Taft-based cagers appeared to have finally found the way to win, former PBA star and Mapua coach Atoy Co and his Cardinals remained searching for answer to their woes after losing six of their first seven matches, including a 68-87 blowout to the Letran Knights last July 29.
The Chiefs and the Generals, tied with the Blazers at sixth, clash at 6 p.m.
Although Arellano fell to St. Benilde, 62-69, last Monday, the Chiefs remain upbeat with Fil-Canadian, Adam Serjue finally returning after missing all their games last year and the first six this season from various injuries.
But they will need more than Serjue to beat the Generals headed by Cameroonian big man Noube Happi.