WHILE moving forward from an ugly fracas last week, College of St. Benilde also tries to recover from a stunning loss to Perpetual Help four days ago.
“Our toughness is just not good. Our big men are soft. We’re just soft and they’re (Altas) more physical than us and it seemed like we didn’t want to win,” coach Charles Tiu said after the Blazers dropped an 83-89 defeat to the Altas.
“If you play that way, you’re really gonna get manhandled and that’s what happened,” he added.
CSB’s resolve will be tested anew when it battles a San Sebastian five fighting for dear life today in the 98th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
The curtain-raiser is set at noon, with the Blazers out to boost their hold on solo second.
The Golden Stags are more hard-pressed to pull off a win and stay in the hunt for a Final Four berth.
Also-ran teams Perpetual and Arellano University collide in the other game at 3 p.m.
The likes of Will Gozum, Migs Oczon, Robi Nayve, Miggy Corteza, JC Cullar, and Jimboy Pasturan will be counted upon by the Taft-based cagers in their bid to hike their 10-4 mark.
San Sebastian absorbed a 65-73 defeat to Lyceum last Sunday that brought it down to 6-8 for fifth.
The Stags will pin their hopes on Romel Calahat, Ichie Altamirano, and Rhinwill Yambing.
CSB trounced San Sebastian 100-94 in their first-round duel last Sept. 16.
With a 7-9 card, the Altas will lean on Carlo Ferreras, Cedrick Abis, Steven Flores, Joey Barcuma, and Mark Omega.
The Chiefs, holding a 6-9 slate, are aching to rebound from a 47-67 loss to Mapua University last Wednesday.
Shane Menina, Axel Doromal, and Joshua Abastillas will carry the fight for Arellano.
The Chiefs nipped Perpetual 61-59 when they first met last Sept. 16.
