De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde will look to gain the share of top spot when it plays its penultimate game in the elimination round on Sunday against Arellano University in NCAA Season 98.
Benilde and Arellano clash at 3 p.m. with the Blazers, who stand at 12-4, looking to draw even with defending champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran at the number one spot while San Sebastian College-Recoletos and Emilio Aguinaldo College will tangle at 12 p.m.
Benilde is currently riding a two-game winning streak after having won a pair of important matches against San Sebastian and Lyceum of the Philippines University. The Blazers pulled off an 83-78 win over the Stags that put an end to the school's 20-year Final Four drought while a 100-88 victory against fellow semifinalist in the Pirates boosted their chances of booking a playoffs incentive.
But even with them assured of a semis ticket, the Blazers are still out to win their remaining games.
"When you go to the semis, there's no advantage. All you need to do is maybe win one game or two games, depending on the seedings so at least, we know we just have to take care of our business and we still have the chance to take that number two spot," said head coach Charles Tiu.
"We still have a few games to play and I'm hoping we can still win our last two games."
Arellano, on the other hand, previously defeated University of Perpetual Help System DALTA with an 86-81 escape with the backcourt duo of Axel Doromal and Shane Menina leading the way.
In the first game, San Sebastian and EAC will try to finish their season on a high note.
The Stags are fresh from a 78-74 win over Perpetual with veteran guard Ichie Altamirano leading their rally while the Generals recently fell to the Knights but the wards of head coach Oliver Bunyi are still tipped to put in their best game and get their third win in 17 games.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
