In the last three games, the College of St. Benilde Blazers have managed to limit their opponents’ scoring to 40 percent and below.
With improvements in their inside game, the Blazers will try to hold down the San Sebastian Stags’ point production when they meet at 4 p.m. today in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center in San Juan.
Coach TY Tang said his Blazers have been learning a lot since he took over last year and limiting their opponents’ scoring has allowed them to come with their best start in 14 years.
“I think they are more emotional this time around. There are a lot of lessons learned especially coming out of last season,” said Tang after the Blazers held off the Mapua University Cardinals, 71-67, last Thursday.
The Blazers, who held down the Cardinals to 35.29 percent in their field goal shooting, are seeking their fourth straight win and a share of the lead with the defending champion San Beda Red Lions.
Justin Gutang, who got hurt after getting pinned down during a loose ball situation in the dying seconds, should be back in action.
Gutang, who led with 12 points, five rebounds, and three assists against the Cardinals, has averages of 27 minutes on the floor and norms 12.7 points, 10. 3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
James Pasturan can back him up with 11.7 points, four rebounds and 2.3 assists.
The Stags (2-2), on the other hand, will seek to bounce back from two straight losses, including their 69-80 at the hands of the Lyceum Pirates.
Earlier, the Letran Knights (4-1) will clash with the winless Cardinals at 12 noon, while the Arellano University Chiefs take on the University of Perpetual Help Altas at 2 p.m.
In the junior division, Arellano University (3-1) meets University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas at 10 a.m., while the La Salle Greenhills Greenies (2-1) mix it up with the San Sebastian Staglets at 6 p.m.