San Sebastian, Benilde target solo lead

MANILA, Philippines - San Sebastian and College of St. Benilde dispute the solo lead today in a duel of unbeaten teams while Letran and Perpetual Help collide in a clash of winless squads in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Stags, who stunned the three-peat champion San Beda Red Lions, 83-77, last week for their second straight win, and the hot-starting Blazers part ways as they square off in the 4 p.m. main game.

Letran and Perpetual Help, on the other hand, shoot for first win at each other’s expense in the 2 p.m. opener. The Knights and the Altas have dropped their first two games.

Jimbo Aquino, who starred for SSC in its victory over San Beda, hopes to come up with a big follow-up to his 26-point game against the Lions, including four triples in the fourth quarter that anchored the Stags’ stirring win.

“It’s a huge win and I want to think it gave us more confidence,” said San Sebastian coach Ato Agustin, a former PBA MVP.

The SSC mentor, however, cautioned his players not to take the Blazers lightly.

“We have to respect all teams we face, we can’t afford to be overconfident with anyone,” said Agustin.

St. Benilde has racked up two victories over Angeles U Foundation and Mapua to join the fancied SSC and Jose Rizal U at the helm.

St. Benilde coach Richard del Rosario is hopeful his wards will be able to hold their own against the Stags as they brace for a tough four-game schedule that includes matches against the Lions and the Knights next week.

“This is a game that would measure us as a team because we’ll be facing tougher San Beda and Letran next,” said del Rosario.