RED hot Mapua University is off to its quest to gain the upper hand in the Final Four of the NCAA 100 men's basketball tournament when it clashes against Lyceum of the Philippines University on Tuesday at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City.
The Cardinals racked up four consecutive wins after a dramatic win against the defending champion last October 20 to take a 10-3 win-loss card, behind league leader College of Saint Benilde (11-2).
Mapua looks to avoid the vengeful Pirates, who want to bounce back from a two-game losing skid against Arellano University and the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.
Lyceum absorbed a 6-7 record tied with Emilio Aguinaldo College, and looks to keep its playoff bid alive as Colegio de San Juan Letran is at the fourth seed with a 7-7 record.
With the league's tight standings, Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara said that it is not time to relax yet.
"We will continue putting in the work, and I hope to see the team to be as one again. You know here in NCAA, everything is possible. Scout, work, recover, then repeat," he said.
"We do not think about the winning streaks about that much, we focus on the present," he added.
The Cardinals will rely on promising rookie Chris Hubilla, who averaged 16.25 points and 7.25 rebounds.
However, Hubilla should brace for the return of Mclaude Guadaña, who already recovered from his minor injury and looks to deliver once more for the Pirates.
The clash begins at 11. a.m.
At 2:30 p.m., the San Beda University, enjoying its solo third with an 8-5 card, looks to position itself better in the standings as it faces Jose Rizal University.
The Bombers kept its playoff bid alive after tallying a 4-9 slate and took a morale-boosting win after defeating Letran on October 26.
"We will just see our chances, keep putting in the work. There is a lot of possibility, and I know that our team will pass through the needle for a Final Four slot, but we will do everything that we can," head coach Louie Gonzalez said.