Aguinaldo, Benilde in vital encounter

MANILA, Philippines — College of Saint Benilde and Emilio Aguinaldo College, out to firm up their semis bids, clash Wednesday in the 87th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

The Blazers and the Generals meet in the 2 p.m. curtain-raiser, their final assignments in the first round, with the victor getting a share of the fourth spot with guest team Lyceum at 4-5.

The second match set at 4 p.m. pits cellar-dwellers Arellano University and University of Perpetual Help.

Long considered as the whipping boys of the tournament, the Blazers and the Generals have put up decent showing compared to their campaigns last year.

Spearheaded by reigning Rookie of the Year Carlo Lastimosa, the Blazers recovered from a 0-2 start, while the Generals started the season with a 2-0 record before posting similar 3-5 cards.

Both teams, however, are coming off stinging defeats.

The Generals of coach Gerry Esplana bowed to Letran, 76-67, despite getting 18 points from Joshua Torralba and 16 from Jolas Paguia while the Blazers, mentored by Richard del Rosario, absorbed a 64-60 defeat at the hands of the Chiefs last Friday.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, are hoping to ride on the momentum of their recent win when they battle the Altas.

The win could serve as inspiration for the wards of Arellano coach Leo Isaac as they try to have a fresh start in the second round.

Chiefs suffered a five-game skid but that was snapped on Friday – thanks to the heroics of Adrian Celada, Jerald Lapuz and seldom-used Mark Doligon.

Jonas Terrado, Manila Bulletin