Games today:

(Mall of Asia Arena)

12 p.m. — Mapua vs EAC

2:30 p.m. — Saint Benilde

vs Lyceum

College of Saint Benilde looks for a share of the second spot in Group B when it faces Lyceum of the Philippines University Tuesday in Season 101 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Game time is at 2:30 p.m. as the Blazers aim to bounce back from their heartbreaking 73-75 loss to University of Perpetual Help System Dalta last Saturday.

Saint Benilde head coach Charles Tiu told DAILY TRIBUNE that the squad's morale is low.

With a 4-3 win-loss record, the Blazers are in third place in Group B behind San Beda University, which has a 6-1 slate, and Letran College which holds a 5-3 card.

“We are all down after the loss against Perpetual. I felt we should have won that game after being up by eight in the fourth quarter,” Tiu said.

Before this mouth-watering showdown, defending champion Mapua University faces Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) to open today’s double-header.

The Cardinals hope to break their three-game losing streak at the expense of the Generals.

But all eyes will be on Saint Benilde as it will field former Lyceum big man Shawn Umali.

Tiu said Umali’s three-year experience with the Pirates, who currently hold a 1-6 slate in Group A, will be useful as they face-off today for Saint Benilde.

“Against Lyceum, we need to defend them well, get back on defense and prepare for their zone,” Tiu said.

“Shawn has been giving us important input on personnel and what they like to do. We have to watch out for (Ato) Barba and (Renz) Villegas. great scorers, they're playing some really good basketball.”

Reigning Most Valuable Player Allen Liwag will be relied on once again after dropping 21 points and 11 rebounds against the Altas along with Ian Torres, who had 17 points.

Villegas will be the man to watch for Lyceum after scoring 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists against EAC.