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Game on Wednesday:
(FilOil Flying V Centre)
3 p.m. CSB vs Perpetual
University of Perpetual Help System DALTA head coach Myk Saguiguit won't leave anything to chance as they battle De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in a do-or-die game in the NCAA Season 97 play-in round on Wednesday.
Game time is at 3 p.m. with the Blazers (5-4) and the Altas (4-5) fighting for the last ticket to the Final Four stage, where defending champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran is awaiting alongside Mapua University and San Beda University.
With the semis berth at stake, Saguiguit knows CSB won't go out without a fight.
The Blazers are coming off twin losses both against San Beda, falling in their last elimination game to the Red Lions with a 67-63 defeat. They also stumbled in their play-in game, 63-57, to be relegated to another do-or-die match against Perpetual.
And Saguiguit said CSB would want nothing but a bounce back win as the Blazers eye a return to the Final Four round for the first time since 2000 or in Season 78.
"Galing sila sa talo pero alam mo namang 'yang CSB, 'yung energy level nila iba eh, kailangan ma-outwork namin," said Saguiguit.
"Kailangan makapagpahinga nang maganda 'yung mga bata, i-enjoy nila 'yung panalo and then let's focus doon sa green color."
Perpetual, meanwhile, is marching into the game all inspired.
The Altas are on a roll, winning their last three assignments against Lyceum of the Philippines University and Emilio Aguinaldo College to cap off the elimination round while also eliminating Arellano last Sunday in their play-in contest.
Perpetual will continue to lean on veterans Kim Aurin, Jielo Razon, and Mark Omega, all of whom played crucial roles in their triumph against the Chiefs.
"Talagang 'yung mga bata, tinatrabaho nila 'yung given chance and opportunity na ang tagal nawala sa basketball, ngayon sinusulit talaga nila," added Saguiguit.
"Sabi ko, binibigyan tayo ng pintuan so ngayon katukin natin nang malakas para mabuksan. Eh ngayon, meron na namang another pintuan on Wednesday, kalampagin na nila para makapasok na kami."
—JMB, GMA News
