De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde will look to claim solo top spot against a winless Emilio Aguinaldo College side while two schools coming from a loss will try to avoid enduring another defeat on Saturday in NCAA Season 98.
Benilde and EAC go at it at 12 p.m. while University of Perpetual Help System DALTA (2-3) and San Sebastian College-Recoletos (2-2) square off at 3 p.m. in a bid to get back to their winning ways.
The Blazers are coming off an 84-72 statement win over Arellano University last Wednesday to bounce back from a tough loss handed to them by Colegio de San Juan de Letran last week. They currently sit atop the team standings alongside Lyceum of the Philippines University at 4-1.
And the Taft squad would want to go higher in the standing when it collides with a hungry EAC team, which is currently winless in four games. The Charles Tiu-led Benilde squad is tipped to be led once again by usual suspects WIll Gozum, Miggu Corteza, JC Cullar, and Robi Nayve.
They are also awaiting the return of gunner Migs Oczon, who has missed their last two outings due to safety and health protocols. But Tiu is hoping to continue getting quality minutes from his bench.
"It's nice to have different options. If somebody is not playing well, you have somebody else to call," Tiu said. "That's why I feel it's (depth) important while it's still early in the season."
Meanwhile, both Perpetual and San Sebastian are eager to get back on track after succumbing in their last outings.
The Altas recently absorbed an 82-77 loss to streaking Lyceum of the Philippines University while the Stags fell to San Beda University, 78-71, to go 2-2.
Veterans Kim Aurin and Jielo Razon as well as Mark Omega, Marcus Nitura, and Rey Barcuma are expected to carry the scoring cudgels for the Las Piñas squad while San Sebastian will lean on Rommel Calahat, Kennet Villapando, and Jessie Sumoda.
—JMB, GMA News
