Mapua University will try to reassert its mastery over De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and make it seven wins in a row when they clash on Wednesday in NCAA Season 99 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Tip-off is at 4 p.m. with the Cardinals eyeing their ninth overall win while struggling Colegio de San Juan de Letran and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA open the double-header at 2 p.m.
Mapua had to fend off Benilde during their first round encounter with veteran Paolo Hernandez showing up in the clutch moments to steer the Cardinals to a tight 75-71 victory and bounce back from their only loss so far against Jose Rizal University last October 1.
Since then, Mapua had won five consecutive games to claim the top spot.
The Blazers, on the other hand, have been unsteady this season, dropping four of their first nine games with Season 98 MVP Will Gozum and Miggy Corteza yet to show their usual form.
Benilde was coming off a 68-55 triumph in its finals rematch against Letran, where Migs Oczon shone with 15 points, six rebounds, six assists, and one block.
In the first game, both Letran and Perpetual will hope to return to the win column after absorbing heartbreakers in their past games.
The ALTAs got the better of the Knights in their first round clash where sophomore Jun Roque exploded for 22 points laced with 11 boards. However, Perpetual has lost back-to-back games after that, bowing to San Beda and Mapua in tight fashion.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
