MAPUA takes on Letran while San Beda battles Perpetual Help today as action further heats up in the second round of the 100th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
The Cardinals, armed with an 8-3 card for second, clash with the Knights at 2:30 p.m. in a match dubbed the “Battle of Intramuros” while the Red Lions, running third with a 7-4 slate, take on the Altas at noon.
Last Tuesday, the Cardinals climbed to solo second behind St Benilde after scoring an 82-79 win over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals while the Knights absorbed a 61-71 defeat inflicted by the Altas five days ago.
John Jabonete back, who served a one-game suspension after elbowing Karl De Jesus of JRU last Sunday, will return to action for Mapua.
But the Cardinals are expected to miss Marc Igliane, who was ejected for a disqualifying foul on EAC’s Jhearald Manacho.
Letran will go into the match without rookie Jimboy Estrada, who was ejected after being slapped two technical fouls against Perpetual.
Estrada, the leading scorer for the Knights with 15.36 points and a candidate for the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards, appealed his suspension but was turned down.
The first match featuring San Beda coach Yuri Escueta and Perpetual counterpart Olsen Racela who are cousins will see the Red Lions out to regain their winning ways and the Altas going for their second straight win.
Last Tuesday, the Red Lions fell short against gutsy Lyceum 62-64 while the Altas toppled Letran over the weekend.
San Beda will count on Bismarck Lina, Yukien Andrada and Jomel Puno against the Altas’ Christian Pagaran, Mark Gojo Cruz and Cedrick Abis.
