Games Friday (Filoil EcoOil Centre)
12 noon – San Beda vs Arellano
3 p.m. – JRU vs LPU
College of Saint Benilde logged its second three-game winning streak in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament with a 73-64 win over Mapua Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
“This is a great confidence booster for us kasi we wanted to display and show people na we can beat any team, especially ‘yung naka-Finals at naka-Final Four and I think it will help us in our upcoming two games,” said Miguel Corteza, who led the Blazers with 17 points and four rebounds.
The last two games for Benilde, which rose to a league-best 6-1 record, are no pushovers – against San Beda on Sunday and Jose Rizal University on October 14.
Migs Oczon tallied 14 points, eight rebounds and two steals while Ladis Lepalam contributed 10 points and five rebounds for the Blazers.
Corteza is happy with Benilde’s balanced offense which is the main key for its impressive first-round campaign.
“I think everyone sa team namin can score,” said Corteza. “Coach Charles (Tiu) also gives us the green light. Everyone the green light to shoot if it is open and pass it out if sobrang nakaka-pressure na and like if nado-double.”
“I think coach Charles has the confidence in everyone to make a play and score.”
Last season’s runner-up, the Cardinals stumbled to their eighth straight loss.
Mapua will wrap up its first round campaign against Emilio Aguinaldo College, which has a 0-6 slate, in a duel of winless squads on Saturday.
Rence Nocum led the Cardinals with 15 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, Warren Bonifacio had a double-double outing of 14 points and 11 rebounds while Arvin Gamboa chipped in 11 points and seven boards.