The Cardinals thwarted the Philippine Christian U Dolphins, last year’s runners-up, in a low-scoring ballgame, 47-42, while the Red Lions, behind Nigerian Samuel Ekwe, blasted the Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers, 81-51, in the league’s inaugurals at the Araneta Coliseum last Saturday.
Focus will be on the San Beda-PCU duel at 4 p.m., which features the clash of two of the league’s talented big men in Ekwe and Gabby Espinas, the PCU slotman who is expected to atone for his so-so showing against Mapua.
While the 6-foot-6 Espinas, who bagged the Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in 2004, struggled for nine points against the Cardinals, the 6-foot-8 Ekwe debuted with impressive numbers, finishing with 13 points, including three thunderous dunks, and 13 rebounds.
"Hopefully, Gabby, as well as Jason (Castro) and Beau (Belga) will step up because if we play like we did against Mapua, we don’t have a chance against San Beda," said PCU coach Joel Dualan.
Mapua, on the other hand, takes on San Sebastian Stags in the 2 p.m. opener with Jeofferson Gonzales, who knocked in three of his four charities in the final minute to anchor the Cards’ victory over the Dolphins, expected to lead the charge of the Muralla-based cagers.
Like PCU, San Sebastian dropped its opening day game, 67-73, to Perpetual Help System DALTA.
"We have to be aggressive on defense because Mapua likes to run and they have good perimeter players. We also have to be consistent on our free throw shooting," said Raymond Valenzona, now the man at the helm at SSC.
San Beda and PCU tangle in the lone junior game at 6 p.m.
Meanwhile, College of St. Benilde beat Letran, 79-69, in the third game of the NCAA juniors tournament last Monday.