COLLEGE of St. Benilde eyes a third straight win and firm up its hold of the top spot when it faces Arellano University today in the 100th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
The game is set at noon before Jose Rizal University collides with Emilio Aguinaldo College at 2:30 p.m.
The Blazers scored a 96-94 overtime victory over the San Sebastian College Golden Stags last Tuesday that hiked their mark to 6-1 but left CSB coach Charles Tiu blasting his players for their lack of effort.
“Malakas ang Arellano. I know what their record is but they easily should be contending for the Final Four, but if you play like this, Arellano would beat us easily,” Tiu said. “I don’t know what we’re doing in the game. It’s really mind boggling. I mean give credit to Baste, they played really well hard.
“This is not the standard that we want. We really have to do a better job,” he added.
The Blazers will lean on Tony, Ynot, Allen Liwag, and Justine Sanchez.
The Chiefs hope to return to the win column after a heartbreak two days ago against Mapua University, Cardinals 71-77.
Lorenz Capulong, Renzo Abiera, and Jerico Camay are expected to propel Arellano, which currently holds a 2-6 slate.
The Generals picked up their third triumph and rose to 3-4 after a 90-88 victory against the Lyceum Pirates last Sunday.
The Heavy Bombers slipped to 2-5 after an 81-88 loss to Mapua.
EAC tactician Jerson Cabiltes is pinning his hopes on Axel Doromal, Harvey Pagsanjan and King Gurtiza.
“Sana magsabay-sabay lang sila pumutok in the next games,” he said.
