MAPUA University looks to extend its winning streak to three and tighten its hold of the second spot when it clashes with Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the NCAA 100 men's basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City on Friday.
Mapua opened the second round of the tournament with back-to-back wins against struggling teams Jose Rizal University (3-8) and Emilio Aguinaldo College (5-6) to tally an 8-3 win-loss card, good for second place.
Letran, on the other hand, dropped back-to-back games against Lyceum of the Philippines University (6-5) and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (5-6) and slipped to a 6-5 slate.
While Mapua is aiming to remain in the top two, Letran is trying to cling on to its precarious place at No. 4 that they currently share with Lyceum of the Philippines.
The Cardinals will continue to rely on the dynamic duo of reigning Most Valuable Player Clint Escamis and Cyrus Cuenco, who scored in 23 and 16 points, respectively, against the EAC Generals last Tuesday.
Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara said that the Cardinals have prepared against the Knights, who are looking to end a two-game skid.
"The composure should always be there, and we will expect this type of scenario. We are grateful to take the win [against EAC], still we need to keep our focus, and do it one game at a time," Alcantara said.
Interestingly, Mapua will play minus starting center Marc Igliane while Letran will be without its primary attacker Jimboy Estrada, who were both suspended for a game for their unsportsmanlike behavior in the previous game.
In the other game, San Beda, currently at third place with a 7-4 slate, collides with Perpetual Help.
The Altas, led by ace rookie Mark Gojo Cruz, need every win they can get in the second round of action if they hope to make the Final Four.
Games on Friday
(FilOil EcoOil Center)
12 p.m. San Beda vs Perpetual Help 2:30 p.m. Mapua vs Letran
Team Standings:
St. Benilde (9-2); Mapua (8-3); San Beda (7-4); Letran (6-5); Lyceum (6-5); EAC (5-6); Perpetual Help (5-6); JRU (3-8); Arellano (3-8); San Sebastian (3-8)