Altas, Chiefs seek 3-way tie for 3rd

MANILA, Philippines - Perpetual Help and Arellano U seek to join defending champion Letran at third as they tangle with struggling St. Benilde and Emilio Aguinaldo College, respectively, at the resumption of the 92nd NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City today.

The Altas hope to ride the momentum of their 61-55 conquest of the Knights last Friday, halting the defending champions’ four-game run while notching their third win against two losses.

They try to join the Knights at third with Bright Akhuetie expected to lead the Las Piñas-based school’s bid in their 4 p.m. match with the Blazers, who are winless in six outings.

Akhuetie powered his way to a 21-point, 16-rebound effort with three shot blocks in another imposing offensive game against the Knights although Perpetual Help coach Gimwell Gican wants his wards to focus more on defense.

“We want to be generally better in defense each game,” said Gican.

St. Benilde’s Cameroonian Clement Leutcheu, meanwhile, will be a doubtful starter after sustaining a knee injury against the Pirates.