Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
PERPETUAL Help shoots for a fourth straight victory and sixth overall when it battles dangerous Emilio Aguinaldo College Tuesday in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
The Altas and Generals take the floor at noon with Perpetual Help seeking to break out of a four-way logjam for second spot and close in on pacesetter San Beda.
All eyes will be on Perpetual center Bright Akhuetie, who has averaged 18.8 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks a game in the last six games of the Altas.
But the Generals are also bannered by a solid reinforcement in 6-foot-11 Cameroonian Hamadou Laminou, who led EAC with 18 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks in a 73-67 triumph over the San Sebastian Stags Friday.
“It will be a good game because we expect them to play us strong because they also have a good import in Laminou,” said Perpetual Help coach Gimwell Gican in Filipino.
Holding the same 5-2 record as Perpetual Help, Arellano is also looking to gain an edge in what is shaping up to be a close battle for Final Four spots when it collides with Lyceum at 2 p.m.
The Chiefs coasted to a 70-59 win over the St. Benilde Blazers also last Friday when the Pirates saw their three-game winning streak snapped by the Altas, 68-71.
San Sebastian tries to avoid a seventh straight defeat against Jose Rizal U at 4 p.m.
The Stags haven’t picked up a win since June 26 when they squeaked past the Blazers, 54-49. Cedelf P. Tupas