Mapua University is already assured of at least a spot in the play-in, but could still book an outright semifinal berth in the NCAA Season 97 men's basketball tournament.
Regardless of what happens, the Cardinals are brimming with confidence going into the next round after having won all of their last four games to be in a position where they could finish as high as second.
"Papasok ng [next round], medyo mataas 'yung kumpiyansa namin," said Arvin Gamboa, whose double-double output helped Mapua to trounce Lyceum, 75-65, on Wednesday.
"'Yung preparation namin ay inisip lang namin na papasok dito 'yung Lyceum na mataas din 'yung energy so sabi ng coaches namin, kailangan lang naing tapatan or higitan 'yung energy nila."
The Cardinals will closely monitor the game between San Beda University, which Mapua upset last week, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Friday. Should the Red Lions absorb another defeat, it will be Mapua moving up to the second seed at the end of the elimination round.
But if San Beda hands Letran its first loss in nine games, the wards of Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara will stay at third and will battle De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in the play-in stage.
And if a rematch with the Blazers is in store, Gamboa said they can't afford to be complacent even as the Cardinals won the first encounter last April 19, 84-65.
"Dahil nanalo kami sa kanila nung elimination game, alam namin na gusto nilang bumawi so lahat ng 'yon, siguro papasok kung paano kami magpe-prepare at kung paano namin ire-review 'yung mga tendencies nila," the 24-year-old Gamboa added.
—JMB, GMA News
