Cards, Stags eye solo 2nd

San Sebastian and Mapua dispute solo second today while Perpetual Help, winless in five games in the second round, fights for survival when it goes up against leader Jose Rizal in the 77th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Stags and the Cardinals will carry identical 7-4 records when they meet at 2 p.m. with the winner gaining an inside track on the second slot to the Final Four. The Heavy Bombers, with a 9-2 record, is already assured of a slot in the next round.

After winning five of seven games in the first round, San Sebastian has struggled quite a bit in the second, splitting its first four games. "We’re playing inconsistently. But we’re working on our lapses and we’ll give it our best," said veteran coach Turo Valenzona.

Mapua, on the other hand, has only lost once in four games in the second round, its latest setback being dealt by defending champion St. Benilde, tied with Letran at 6-6, last Aug. 30. Another big thing going for Mapua is an 88-85 win over Jose Rizal last Wednesday.

Perpetual, despite the presence of PBL standouts Chester Tolomia and Gilbert Malabanan, is so far winless in the second round where it lost to Letran, Philippine Christian University, St. Benilde, San Beda and San Sebastian.

A loss in their 5:30 p.m. encounter with the Heavy Bombers would mean the end of the road for the Altas. JRU defeated Perpetual in the first round, 80-73.