Games today:
(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
12 p.m. — Mapua vs Lyceum
2:30 p.m. — Saint Benilde vs San Beda
The top spot in Group B is up for grabs when San Beda University and College of Saint Benilde collide today in Season 101 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Game time is at 2:30 p.m. with the Blazers looking to extend their winning streak to three games and strengthen their hold of the leadership in Group B of the preliminaries.
Meanwhile, Mapua looks to strengthen its hold in the second spot in Group A as it takes on Lyceum of the Philippines University at 12 p.m.
The Cardinals, who have a 4-5 win-loss record in Group A, hope to bounce back and beat the Pirates anew just like in their 90-89 double-overtime win last 1 October.
Saint Benilde is coming off an impressive 75-65 victory over defending champion Mapua University last Tuesday, giving itself a confidence boost heading into its crucial game where the top spot is on the line.
Still, Blazers head coach Charles Tiu said wants to temper their expectations with reigning Most Valuable Player Alen Liwag looking questionable after an apparent shoulder injury he got in the game against the Cardinals.
“So I just hope we find a way to win. Maybe without Allen, who knows how he’ll be. But it doesn’t matter. It is always next man up for us,” Tiu said.
Tiu, who led Saint Benilde to two NCAA finals appearances, said they need to be better on offense if they want to get ahead of San Beda.
“Our offense needs to get better. We need to play better and we couldn’t score because Mapua’s defense was really good but it is what it is,” added Tiu, whose wards are eager to avenge their 85-96 loss to San Beda last October.
But even without Liwag, the Blazers will still have a lot of weapons available like Tony Ynot, who matched his career-high 25 points last Tuesday, while Joshua Cajucom is also expected to step up after scoring eight points against Mapua.
San Beda rookie Janti Miller is expected to lead after scoring 28 points in their 85-88 triple-overtime loss to the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta last 29 October.