Chiefs target share of lead; Altas collide with Blazers

Games Thursday

(The Arena, San Juan)

10 a.m. – Perpetual Help vs. Mapua (Jrs)

11:45 a.m. – Letran vs St. Benilde (Jrs)

2 p.m. – Perpetual Help vs St. Benilde (Srs)

4 p.m. – EAC vs Arellano U (Srs)

MANILA, Philippines – Arellano U guns for a share of the lead with San Beda, clashing with Emilio Aguinaldo in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City on Thursday.

The Chiefs blasted the Blazers, 78-69, Friday to nail their sixth straight victory and ninth overall in 11 outings, and a victory over the Generals in their 4 p.m. encounter would catapult the former straight to the top alongside the Lions (10-2).

"This is an opportunity for us to get to the top and we'll try to cash in on it," said Arellano U coach Jerry Codinera.

Meanwhile, Perpetual Help seeks to stay within striking distance as takes on winless St. Benilde.

The Altas – who are not that far behind at third spot with an 8-3 record – will go all out for a victory against the Blazers, who have dropped their first 11 games, which will keep push them one game off the pace.

Perpetual Help though will be concerned on rectifying its woeful effort the last time out after it fell to San Sebastian, 55-71, Friday.

"We had a defensive breakdown in that game, we have to go back to the basics and play defense," said Perpetual Help mentor Jimwell Gican in Filipino.

Truly, the Las Pinas-based dribblers came into their game with the Stags boasting of a league-best defense after allowing opponents to just 61 points a game.

The Altas will also need to find some offense outside prolific Nigerian Bright Akhuetie, who was the lone player from his team to have scored in double figures after exploding for 21 points.

"We can't rely on just one or two players, we need everyone to contribute," said Gican.