Blazers stake hold of 2nd spot vs Pirates

MANILA, Philippines — College of St. Benilde and Lyceum of the Philippines University clash for the important No. 2 spot and a twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four as the Blazers and the Pirates face off today in NCAA Season 98 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

The Blazers are currently at second with an 11-4 record while the Pirates are at No. 3 with a 12-5 mark as they set out for their 3 p.m. showdown.

Leading the pack are the Letran Knights, who own a 12-4 slate.

Both CSB and LPU are coming off morale-boosting triumphs with the former edging San Sebastian, 83-78, Tuesday and the latter routing Jose Rizal U, 79-62, Wednesday.

“We have to play harder because we need to get the win if we want to have a chance at No. 2,” said LPU coach Gilbert Malabanan.

The Pirates are out to get back at the Blazers who won their first-round clash, 86-69, last Sept. 11.

But LPU was a different team then, as the Pirates have worked on a mighty upheaval that saw them storm into the top four.

Enoch Valdez has been at the epicenter of the Pirates’ resurgence, dishing out big games after big games including a 21-point masterpiece in their most recent victory.

“He’s our workhorse and one of my leaders on the court,” said Malabanan.