MANILA, Philippines – Mapua University will try to earn a share of second place when it defends its home court against University if Perpetual Help in the NCAA Season 93 men's basketball tournament on Thursday at the Mapua Gym in Intramuros, Manila.

A victory over the Altas will put the Cardinals in a tie with San Beda College (2-1) and Arellano University (2-1) for second place. Meanwhile, Perpetual Help is seeking its very first win in the tournament.

The Cardinals booked their first win at the expense of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, 78-75, thanks to a game-winning triple by Andoy Estrella last July 11.

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Estrella finished with a team-high 18 points along with seven rebounds and seven assists in the victory.

However, Perpetual Help is expected to go all out for a victory after opening the season with back-to-back losses, including a 54-68 rout at the hands of Jose Rizal University last Friday.

The Altas are still finding their rhythm and trying to getting used to Prince Eze taking the heavy load following the departure of fellow Nigerian Bright Akhuetie, who left after playing two seasons with the Las Pinas-based school to join University of the Philippines.

"It's a long process and we will try to be patient with it and stay positive as much as we can," said Perpetual Help team spokesman Jimwell Gican.

The league's Mapua visit is part of the NCAA on Tour, in which the league will bring the sport directly to its students and alumni by holding one seniors game every Thursday in six member schools.

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