Games on Thursday
(Filoil Centre)
10 a.m. – Mapúa vs AU (Jrs)
Noon – CSB vs UPHSD (Jrs)
3 p.m. – Mapúa vs AU (Srs)
5 p.m. – CSB vs UPHSD (Srs)
THE Arellano University (AU) Chiefs’ NCAA campaign can be likened to a fairy tale story — a magical one.
The merry boys from Legarda hope to sustain their strongest start in the league as they battle the Mapúa University Cardinals on Thursday in Season 102 at the Filoil Centre.
AU zoomed to the Group B solo lead and remained as the only unbeaten squad in the league this season thus far after pulling the rug from under Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 82-81, last Monday and should carry the momentum of that triumph versus Mapúa in their 3 p.m. showdown.
“Luck is on our side,” said AU coach Chico Manabat, who has turned his team from the league’s whipping boys in his early years with the school to a quarterfinalist a season ago and a legitimate contender now.
It will be another acid test for the AU though as it will tackle a Mapúa side that is still riding the crest of its 55-54 win over defending champion San Beda University also last Monday for the Cardinals’ first win in four starts.
Mapúa was tied for fourth with Lyceum of the Philippines University in Group A.
That should be enough confidence for Mapúa to give AU’s bid for a fifth win in row a run for its money.
T-MC Ongotan has been the steadying force for the AU Chiefs after averaging a league-high 22.75 points that went with 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, two steals and a block an outing.
Also seeing action are Group A’s College of St. Benilde (CSB) (3-1) and Group B’s University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (2-2) at 5 p.m.
A win for the CSB Blazers would propel them alone on top again in their bracket while the Altas would keep their place at No. 3 with a win. — Joey Villar