College of St. Benilde hopes to keep its winning ways going despite coach Charles Tiu’s admission that the team played its worst game in its most recent victory as it clashes with an unpredictable Arellano University on Friday in NCAA Season 100 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.
“I’m flat out disappointed, we slacked off, we really have to shape up,” said Tiu after the Blazers toyed with defeat before escaping an upset-conscious San Sebastian College side, 96-94, in overtime on Tuesday to hike their record to a league-best 6-1.
Against the Chiefs (2-6), Tiu said they couldn’t afford another horrendous effort if they want to keep fortifying their grip of the top spot.
“To me, they easily should be contending in the Final Four. If we play like this, Arellano will beat us easily,” he said.
Although AU occupied the bottom alongside SSC-R with a 2-6 slate apiece, most of the Chiefs losses were close, including a stinging 77-71 defeat to last year’s runner-up Mapua Wednesday.
That’s why Tiu is hoping they could find ways to get out of their funk when they take on the Chiefs at 12 noon.
“We’re Final Four team at the very least. I think for us to play like this, it’s like high school, parang grade school pa nga kami maglaro ngayon so we really have to do a better job,” he said.
Eyeing to bolster their Final Four chances are Emilio Aguinaldo College (3-4) and Jose Rizal U (2-5), who face off at 2:30 p.m.
Games Friday (Filoil EcoOil Arena)
12 nn.- AU vs CSB
2:30 p.m.- JRU vs EAC
