College of St. BenildeĀ stakes its immaculate record as the Blazers play the dangerous Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers in the 95th NCAA men’s basketball tournament on FridayĀ at The Arena in San Juan.
Despite two postponed games due to bad weather, CSB coach TY Tang said they are ready to wage battle against JRU.
āWeāre always ready to play,ā said Tang after St. Benildeās matches opposite defending three-time champion San Beda University and red-hot Letran were cancelled last week.
āEven if two of our games were called off, the players have put the extra work to keep us in shape, stay sharp for our next game,ā added Tang, who is now on his third season with CSB.
The game betweenĀ St. Benilde and JRU is set at 2 p.m., right after the 12 noon encounter pitting Emilio Aguinaldo College and San Sebastian-Recoletos, which will be without coach Egay Macaraya.
The veteran coach will serve a one-game suspension handed by the leagueās Management Committee (MANCOM) for his unsportsmanlike conduct in a game against Lyceum late last month.
CSB is facing a determined JRU team that has won three of the last four games, including a 64-58 win on home court against Emilio Aguinaldo College in the NCAA āon tourā last week.
āWe expect another tough game again because nothing is easy in this league. We always have to grind it out for us to win. JRU is a solid and well-coached team so we know itās going to be a close game,ā said Tang.
CSB will not only aim for its fifth straight win but for solo lead since the Blazers are currently tied with the Red Lions with similar 4-0 cards, while JRU will shoot for win No. 4 in eight games.
The team of coach Louie Gonzales will have Agem Miranda back on the roster following a one-game suspension. Since that win against EAC, JRU has seven days off and Gonzales said it gave them the opportunity to work on some things he feels need some improvements.