MANILA, Philippines—Mapua seeks to return to the Final Four Wednesday after a one-season absence when it takes on St. Benilde in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
A victory by the Cardinals in the 4 p.m. duel with the Blazers will finalize the semifinal cast that already includes unbeaten San Beda, San Sebastian and Jose Rizal U.
The Blazers gave the Cardinals all that they can handle before yielding, 63-65, in their first-round meeting last Aug. 6.
Mapua coach Chito Victolero is wary of the Blazers, who are already out of contention with a 5-10 record.
“It’s hard to play a team with nothing to lose,” said Victolero, who is looking to enter the postseason for the first time.
The Cardinals actually had two chances to seal the semifinal berth but suffered back-to-back losses to San Beda and San Sebastian, leaving the door open for the Letran Knights, who tote a 6-8 record.
“We’ll try to accomplish what we failed to do the last time out, to win and make it to the Final Four officially,” said Victolero.
Former Rookie of the Year Allan Mangahas has rediscovered his fiery form this season, leading the Cardinals during crucial stretches of games.
Incidentally, Mangahas registered his season-high of 25 points in the first-round victory over the Blazers.
Perpetual Help tries to nail its first win at 2 p.m. when it collides with Emilio Aguinaldo College in a battle of teams in the cellar.
“Our goal is to finish the season with some respectability, we’re investing for the future,” said St. Benilde coach Richard del Rosario.
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