St. Benilde tries to join JRU on top

Defending champion College of St. Benilde shoots for a share of the lead with Jose Rizal University as it clashes with winless Philippine Christian University today in the 77th NCAA basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Off to a good start, the Blazers notched two victories in a row at the expense of Letran College and darkhorse San Beda College and another win today over the Blue Dolphins in their 1:30 p.m. encounter would ensure them a view from top alongside the Heavy Bombers.

Despite being the favorite, St. Benilde got the biggest scare of its campaign so far when it was pushed to the limit with an overtime win over San Beda, the weakest of the eight participating teams on paper.

With controversial cager Jay Lapinid out of the team, expect Sunday Salvacion to step up anew following Saturday’s gem of a win when he scored a career best 32 points that took the lights out of the Red Lions.

Although the Dolphins are yet to win in two outings under newly-hired Jimmy Mariano’s tutelage, expect them to bounce back big and join the circle of winners with seasoned Nelbert Omolon, Omar Asmad and Bernzen Franco, who played for Osaka Iridology in the PBL, carrying the fight for host squad.

Meanwhile, Letran and San Beda, currently tied at third place on identical 1-1 slates, gun for a win that would push them closer to the leaders when they clash at 4:30 p.m.

— Joey Villar

In the juniors’ side, last year’s second placer Letran seeks to accompany San Sebastian College at the helm as it faces San Beda at 3 p.m. while La Salle-Greenhills and host PCU battle at 12 nn.

The Squires have won two straight, a win behind the Staglets, who stunned the Mapua Cardinals, the defending champions, last Monday.

The Junior Blazers and the Red Cubs, on the other hand, have split their first two matches to stay at third spot.