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Benilde, Mapua eye solo third

Sports | Basketball

Benilde, Mapua eye solo third

By Reynald I. Magallon

College of St. Benilde and Mapua University engage in a crucial encounter on Tuesday, April 19 which could determine the path towards the NCAA Season 97 playoffs with two weeks left in the elimination round.

Photo from NCAA/GMA

The Blazers and the Cardinals battle for the solo third spot at 12 noon while a clash between the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers and the San Sebastian Stags follow suit at 3 p.m.

Boasting an identical 4-2 record just behind the league co-leaders San Beda and Letranâ€”both flaunting a clean 5-0 slateâ€”Benilde and Mapua gun for the third spot which would also allow the winner to stay in contention for the top two spots while the loser could end up in a complicated route in the play-in scenario.

The Blazers hope to avoid that as they try to bounce back from a painful 74-68 defeat at the hands of the cellar-dwelling Heavy Bombers at the La Salle Green Hills Gym. In question, however, is the health of their big man Will Gozum who failed to finish their last game due to a foot injury.

Guys like Robi Nayve and Miggy Corteza will be tasked to carry the load as the Charles Tiu-mentored squad tries to get back on track against an equally talented Mapua squad.

The Cardinals shot the lights out in their 95-83 win over Perpetual Help, drilling a total of 12 three pointers in the first half alone to snap their two-game slide.

Toby Agustin hopes to follow up his breakout performance where he unloaded 24 points built on five triples. Brian Lacap, Warren Bonifacio and Rhenz Nocum are also expected to show up for Mapua.

Related Tags

Mapua Cardinals csb blazers NCAA Season 97

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