Mapua tries to narrow the gap with pacesetter College of St. Benilde when it squares off with Letran on Friday, Oct. 18, in NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

The Cardinals gun for their third straight victory in their 2:30 p.m. confrontation with the Knights that would solidify their hold of the second spot and move them just one game behind the Blazers. They currently tote an 8-3 record following their 82-79 triumph over Emilio Aguinaldo College last Tuesday, Oct. 15, against St. Benilde’s 9-2 card.

Meanwhile, defending champion San Beda tries to regain its bearings when it collides with a rejuvenated University of Perpetual Help at 12 noon.

The Red Lions skidded to solo third at 7-5 after absorbing a 64-62 upset loss to the Lyceum Pirates last Tuesday, Oct. 15, while the Altas seek to hike their 5-6 tally and follow up their morale-boosting 71-61 win over the Letran Knights last weekend.

Mapua coach Randy Alcantara hopes his stalwarts would duplicate their 77-62 victory over Letran in the first round last Sept. 20, but cautioned them to be wary as the Knights are eager to get back on track following back-to-back defeats against the Lyceum Pirates (91-68) and the University of Perpetual Help Altas (71-61) to slip at joint fourth with a 6-5 slate.

“Every game naman ine-expect namin na hindi magiging madali, so nire-ready lang namin palagi yung sarili namin,” said Alcantara, who is expected to cast his eyes anew on veterans Clint Escamis and Marc Cuenco after the duo conspired for 39 points the last time.

Also out to provide support for the Cardinals are neophytes Chris Hubilla and Lawrence Mangubat, who have been contributing significant numbers in their past games.

But the Cardinals will be missing the services of big man Marc Igliane, who will be serving an automatic one-game suspension after earning a disqualifying foul in their match against EAC.

Like Mapua, though, Letran will also be playing without one of its key players in Jimboy Estrada, who will also serve his suspension after getting ejected in their game against Perpetual last Sunday, Oct. 13.

Letran actually appealed Estrada’s case, but was denied by the NCAA Management Committee.

Without Estrada, the Knights are set to lean on Vince Cuajao and Kevin Santos, who have been carrying the fight in their last games.