Games today:
12 pm - Arellano (1-1) vs Perpetual (1-0)
3 pm - SSC-R (1-0) vs Benilde (1-0)
Three schools shoot for a second win while one team looks to bounce back from a previous loss when the NCAA Season 98 men's basketball tournament returns on Friday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
San Sebastian College-Recoletos and College of Saint Benilde collide at 3 p.m. to follow up their first wins while University of Perpetual Help System DALTA will also want to book its second straight win against Arellano University at 12 p.m.
San Sebastian and Benilde took care of their opening assignments with the Stags pulling off a 60-51 victory over Arellano while the Blazers bested Lyceum of the Philippines University, 86-69, last Sunday.
And both squads would want nothing but to go 2-0 early in the season.
"Alam natin masyadong malakas 'yan, and galing sa panalo so I think we have to match up their intensity kasi ma-intense din silang maglaro and just focus on what we do best," said San Sebastian head coach Egay Macaraya.
Benilde head coach Charles Tiu, meanwhile, expects a physical game against the Stags, who are looking to bounce back after a disappointing Season 97 campaign that saw them finish at eighth spot with a 3-6 card.
"They're always contenders sa NCAA, ang ganda ng programa nila. I'm sure they had a disappointing year last season. We always expect a physical, rugged game 'pag San Sebastian," said Tiu.
"Hopefully we can match their toughness. It's gonna be a tough, tough test for us."
Perpetual, meanwhile, is beaming with confidence ahead of its clash against Arellano as the Altas just triumphed over Jose Rizal University with an 84-60 lopsided victory.
The Las Piñas crew is expected to continue relying on the duo of Joey Barcuma and Jielo Razon, who combined for 35 points to tow Perpetual to its breakthrough win. The Chiefs, however, are eyeing for a bounce back win following their loss to San Sebastian.
—JMB, GMA News
