Blazers aim for 5th in row against Tigers

MANILA, Philippines — Unbeaten St. Benilde tries to stretch its win run to five against struggling University of Santo Tomas even as Adamson U seeks a third straight victory against UAAP rival Far Eastern U in the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan today.

The Blazers are fancied to get past the Tigers, who could only churn out a win in four games, in their 12:15 p.m. match.

St. Benilde actually struggled the last time out against Arellano U but the Blazers still found a way to eke out a 74-69 and preserve their unbeaten slate in Group B.

The Blazers, responding splendidly to second year coach TY Tang, have been pinning their hopes on veterans Yankee Haruna and Clement Leutcheu and young stars Unique Naboa and Justin Gutang. They have emerged as the second scoring highest team next to the Archers and are the fifth-ranked squad on defense.

Meanwhile, the Falcons gun for win No. 3 against the Tams at 2:30 p.m. while the ousted Gilas Cadets (1-5) side mixes it up with UE (1-1) at 5 p.m.

Tickets to the matches of the Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup can be purchased at the gate of the Filoil Flying V Center.

Ateneo and Mapua were actually set to dispute the Group A lead but the match between two of the league’s unbeaten teams has been postponed.

The Eagles have racked up four victories to share the lead with archrivals La Salle Green Archers in Group A with the Cardinals just a share behind with a 3-0 mark.

The Soaring Falcons have drawn strong games not only from regulars Sean Manganti and Jerick Ahanmisi but also from newcomers Jerome Lastimosa and Vince Magbuhos to fuel their strong start.