Blazers, Knights hope to keep Top 4 slots
Games Today (The Arena, San Juan City) 10 a.m. – Perpetual vs LSGH (Jrs) 12 noon – Arellano vs Letran (Jrs) 2 p.m. – Perpetual vs CSB (Srs) 4 p.m. – Arellano vs Letran (Srs)
College of St. Benilde and Letran try to maintain their places in the Top 4 when they face separate rivals today in NCAA men’s basketball at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Blazers tangle with the University of Perpetual Help Altas at 2 p.m. while the Knights collide with the Arellano Chiefs at 4 p.m.
Sporting identical 6-3 win-loss records, a win for both St. Benilde and Letran will inch them closer to league leader Lyceum (10-0) and second-running San Beda (9-1).
The Blazers and Knights are also out to repeat their first-round victories against their rivals, with St. Benilde prevailing over Perpetual, 84-77, last Aug. 24 and Letran whipping Arellano, 88-70, last Aug. 7.
The Blazers, however, remain wary of the Altas despite their advantage as Perpetual seeks to bounce back from a two-game skid at the end of the first round including the recent defeat against the Blazers.
St. Benilde coach TY Tang relies on Yankie Haruna, Clement Leutcheu and Justin Gutang after averaging in double figures, but Perpetual has Prince Eze and Kim Aurin in front of its lineup.
The Altas also hope Edgar Charcos will be fit to return after missing two games with a hyper-extended right knee.
Meanwhile, Letran seeks to extend its two-game winning run against Emilio Aguinaldo College (76-56) and Mapua (84-63) with John Quinto and JP Calvo spearheading their bid.
Michael Calisaan and Levi Dela Cruz banner Arellano, which hopes to improve its 4-5 card in the middle standings.