Lions in full force in duel vs Lancers

Sam Ekwe suits up today as San Beda College guns for the semifinal berth against an equally talented University of Visayas at resumption of action in the Collegiate Champions League at the Rizal Coliseum.

The 6-foot-8 Ekwe, the Rookie of the Year, Best Defensive Player and MVP of the NCAA, sat out San Beda’s game against National University with a hyper-extended right knee last Tuesday. The second seeded Red Lions won, 75-72.

Gametime is at 4 p.m. with the Green Lancers out to come up with a big follow-up win to their 70-67 decision over the Adamson Falcons last Monday.

The winner in the San Beda-UV duel will advance to the semis against the winner of the Letran-Jose Rizal University clash.

Meanwhile, University of the East tangles with Philippine Christian University at 2 p.m. with the Warriors hoping to stop the prolific Jason Castro in a bid to advance to the next round.

"We have to stop Jason Castro or at least limit his production for us to win," said UE coach Dindo Pumaren.

The veteran swingman powered the Dolphins past NAASCU champions AMACU Titans in the Sweet 16, scoring four straight in a closing 6-0 run that sealed a 95-88 win.

"Jason is our take-charge guy down the stretch," said coach Joel Dualan, who led the Dolphins to a runner-up finish in the NCAA.

Pumaren used to have his own version of a go-to-guy in Bonbon Custodio.

But the high-scoring guard has stopped joining team practice after his suspension in their knockout game with eventual champions University of Santo Tomas Tigers in the Final Four of the UAAP.

The Warriors hardly missed Custodio in their Sweet 16 duel against UCAA rulers Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals.

They bucked a slow start to win pulling away, 84-60. James Martinez, Custodio’s most likely replacement in the starting five next year, poured in 17 points, including eight in a telling run early in the fourth.

The Warriors will need more of that from the sophomore guard to go deeper in the tournament they’ve ruled three years ago.

His ability to hit from beyond the arc will force the Dolphins to extend their defense and give more room inside for Warriors big men Mark Borboran, Elmer Espiritu and Kelvin Gregorio.