Blazers eye win vs lowly SSC Stags

MANILA, Philippines - St. Benilde tries to bounce back from a stinging loss to league leader San Beda as it clashes with lowly San Sebastian today in the 90th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Blazers, clobbered by the Red Lions, 78-54, over the weekend, need to win in their 2 p.m. encounter with the Stags to stay within striking distance of joint third placers Perpetual Help and Jose Rizal U (8-4) heading to the crucial phase of the double-round elims.

At 7-4, St. Benilde is behind Perpetual and JRU, which tote identical 8-4 marks with the 10-2 San Beda tipped to clinch the top spot and Arellano U trying to stay at second with a 9-3 mark.

“It’s an eye-opener for us,” said St. Benilde coach Gabby Velasco. “What’s important is that we learn from our mistakes and we don’t give up from temporary setbacks like that loss to San Beda.”

But San Sebastian is due for a win after losing their last eight games after a 3-1 start to virtually bow out of the Final Four race.

Letran and Emilio Aguinaldo, meanwhile, seek to improve their 4-7 and 3-8 records, respectively, as they tangle at 4 p.m.