Blazers to show full might vs Chiefs

MANILA, Philippines — For the first time this season, College of St. Benilde will come in healthy and in full force.

And the Blazers hope to make full use of this as they usher back main man Justin Gutang from a knee injury versus the struggling Arellano Chiefs today in the 95th NCAA basketball tournament at the Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

Gutang, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder with averages of 12.7 points and 10.3 rebounds, injured an MCL (medial collateral ligament) in the dying seconds of a 71-67 victory over the Mapua Cardinals July 26 that cost him to miss a game – a 77-72 triumph over San Sebastian – four days later.

He would have sat another one against San Beda initially set Aug. 2 but CSB got a reprieve after the league postponed the games due to bad weather.

When Gutang was ready to return Aug. 6 against Letran, the matches were called off again.

In all, the Blazers have three postponed games spanning two weeks, including a duel with Jose Rizal Friday.

Aside from Gutang, Clement Leutcheu (quads), Yankie Haruna (jaw), Roby Nayve (concussion), Chris Flores (MCL), James Pasturan (shoulder) and Carlo Lim (hamstring) have all battled injuries but  are now in the pink of health.

“The team is healthy now,” said Charles Tiu, assistant to CSB coach TY Tang.

A win by CSB in its 4 p.m. showdown with AU, which shares the bottom with Mapua and Emilio Aguinaldo on 1-5 (win-loss) slates, would send it back to the top alongside reigning titlist San Beda (5-0).

The Cardinals and the Generals, like the Chiefs, will be eyeing to get out of the pit when they collide at 2 p.m.