| CSB vs. San Beda, Mapua vs. Letran NCAA Press Release, Mon, Jul 13, 2009 Games today (The Arena, San Juan City) 10 a.m.- CSB vs San Beda (Jrs.) 11:45 a.m.- Mapua vs Letran (Jrs.) 2 p.m.- CSB vs San Beda (Srs.) 4 p.m.- Mapua vs Letran (Srs.) Three-peat champion San Beda and St. Benilde try to close in on leaders Jose Rizal and San Sebastian as the two collide today in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City. Tied at third on 2-1 (win-loss) slates, the Lions and the Blazers collide at 2 p.m. that would put the winner half a game behind the Bombers, last year's losing finalists, and the Stags, unbeaten in three starts. "St. Benilde has improved, we can't take them for granted," said San Beda coach Frankie Lim, who steered the Mendiola-based school to its last two of three titles. Mapua and Letran, meanwhile, clash in the other game in a battle of Muralla-based schools at 4 p.m. hoping to improve on its 1-2 slate. The Lions smothered the Arellano University Chiefs, one of the three guest schools allowed to play this year, 102-74, a week back with Garvo Lanete firing 20 points he laced with three booming triples to lead five other teammates in double figures. The Blazers, in contrast, dropped a 62-75 loss to the Stags after zooming to a 2-0 start. Letran mentor Louie Alas said he expects a tough game considering that Mapua remains to be a force despite losing some of its stars last year like Kelvin dela Pena, Neil Pascual and Ian Mazo. "They're struggling but they're still a tough team to beat, we have to be focused against them," said Alas. Mapua's rookie coach Chito Victolero had the same thought about the Knights, the league's most titled school with 16 including its last crown that came four years back. "Letran is always a team to watch out for because of their system and defensive intensity, its going to be a hard game for us," said Victolero. The Knights and the Cardinals were both coming off their first wins after dropping their first two assignments with the former zapping the Perpetual Help Altas and the latter bashing the Angeles University Foundation Great Danes. Expect Smart Gilas Pilipinas veteran RJ Jazul to step up for Letran anew after coming out with 24 points, five rebounds and five assists while Mark Acosta of Mapua should be the player to watch after he dished out 21 points, seven boards and four assists. |
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