Blazers seek solo third vs struggling Cardinals

MANILA, Philippines — College of St. Benilde tries to recover from a heartbreaker of a loss the last time out as it faces Mapua, aiming for solo third even as Perpetual Help and Arellano U clash in a crucial match in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan today.

The Blazers missed grabbing third place after Fil-Am Justin Gutang’s basket at the buzzer was nullified after a series of video replays, enabling the San Sebastian Stags to steal a 66-65 victory last week.

The loss kept St. Benilde in joint third with Letran, which also dropped a 68-74 decision to San Beda, at 7-4. But the Blazers are keen on getting back on track with a victory over the struggling Cardinals in their 2 p.m. encounter.

“We’d like to move forward and try not to be affected that much by what had happened,” said CSB coach TY Tang.

Gutang actually churned out a career-best 25 points against the Stags, including 16 in the last 10 minutes, only to see his effort fall short with that controversial loss.

Still, the Blazers are fancied to get past the Cardinals, who, however, are going all out to keep whatever slim chance they have on a 3-8 slate.

Meanwhile, the Altas and the Chiefs clash in what promises to be a fierce duel of teams seeking to keep their respective Final Four hopes alive. Perpetual is in fifth with a 5-5 mark while Arellano is just behind at 4-6. They tangle at 4 p.m.

Edgar Charcos will make a much-awaited return for the Las Piñas-based school after missing three games due to a hyperextended knee.