TOP CARDINAL. Mapua University's Clint Escarmis (center) against University of Perpetual Help players during the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Season 100 men's basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan on Sept. 15, 2024. He is expected to lead the Cardinals' bid for a fourth straight win on Tuesday (Oct. 8, 2024) against the San Beda University Red Lions. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Mapua University and College of Saint Benilde will try to stay on top when they face separate rivals in the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Season 100 men's basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday.
The Cardinals, who will take on the defending champion San Beda University Red Lions at 2:30 p.m., and the Blazers, who will battle the Jose Rizal University Altas at 11 a.m., are tied for the lead at 6-2.
Mapua defeated Arellano University, 77-71, last Wednesday for its third straight win.
CSB, on the other hand, beat Sebastian Sebastian College-Recoletos in overtime, 96-94, before losing to Arellano, 71-73, last Friday.
“We still have to work more,” said Mapua coach Randy Alcantara, who will rely on reigning MVP Clint Escamis.
San Beda, coming off a 63-62 win over University of Perpetual Help, 63-62, last Friday, is in solo third at 5-3.
Meanwhile, JRU is hoping to boost its semifinal campaign after hacking out a 75-63 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College.
“We’ll try to give them a good fight,” Heavy Bombers coach Louie Gonzales said. JRU is tied for fifth with EAC at 3-5.
The EAC Generals will meet the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Stags (2-6) at 5 p.m. (PNA)
