Mapua seeks back-to-back wins when it battles Perpetual Help on Wednesday as the NCAA Season 93 basketball tournament goes to Mapua Gym in Intramuros as part of “NCAA on Tour.”
The Cardinals are coming off a morale-boosting 78-75 victory over the Letran Knights last week in a game where Andoy Estrella delivered the game-winning triple at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
But Mapua, which is fielding a shorthanded team this season following the decision of Allwell Oraeme and Darrell Menina to sit out the tournament, will be facing a tough test against the Altas.
Perpetual is desperate to finally get a first win of the season after losing to St. Benilde via forfeiture last week and Emilio Aguinaldo College last Friday. The Altas have actually protested the NCAA Management Committee’s decision to forfeit their win over the Blazers after they wore the wrong uniform.
As they wait for the decision, however, the Altas will need to deal with a Mapua squad that has embraced its role as an underdog this season.
The Altas, who are the only winless team in the field, will rely on the trio of Gab Dagangon, Prince Eze and Keith Pido.
Lacking depth, the Cardinals will be hard-pressed to stop the 6-foot-9 Eze, whose length gave the Blazers problems last week.
JR Raflores, Leo Gabo and JP Nieles lead the supporting cast for the Cardinals.