Atoy Co. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Arellano clashes with Letran on Monday in a battle of teams with contrasting fortunes this season even as Mapua shoots for a second straight win in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
One of the surprise leaders of the tournament, the Chiefs will be looking to rebound from a triple-overtime loss in the 2 p.m. showdown with the Knights who have unexpectedly found themselves in the bottom half of the standings.
The Cardinals meet the struggling Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals at 4 p.m.
Coming off a stunning upset of San Sebastian, Mapua is oozing with confidence as it squares off with a misfiring EAC squad.
“Hopefully, it will be the start of something positive for us,” said Mapua coach Atoy Co after the Cardinals’ 89-81 conquest of the Stags last Monday.
Jessie Saitanan, who had 24 points and nine boards against the Stags, will again be counted upon to deliver for the Cardinals along with CJ Isit, Leo Gabo and Jesan Cantos.
The Generals are on a five-game tailspin with coach Gerry Esplana struggling to find the right combinations. Noube Happi’s performances have also been a far cry from his dominant form late last season where he led the Generals to a 10-8 slate.
The Chiefs absorbed a 99-98 loss to the Jose Rizal U Bombers last Friday in the longest game in the league since Arellano suffered a similar triple OT defeat to St. Benilde in 2009.
The Knights are hoping to build on their narrow 63-61 win over the Generals last Wednesday to end a three-game slide.
“We hope its a start of a turnaround for us,” said Letran coach Caloy Garcia, whose Knights are in solo eighth spot with a 2-4 card.