Red Lions out to extend win run vs Knights

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda and Letran renew their rivalry in a key match today even as Mapua and Arellano slug it out in a duel of struggling teams in the 88th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Lions are out to extend their domination over the Knights to 13 games while the latter shoot for a first victory since Rey Guevarra dunked over Nigerian Sam Ekwe in a 70-69 squeaker on July 5, 2007.

The three-peat seeking San Beda is also trying to break out of a tie with a surprising Perpetual Altas after beating Emilio Aguinaldo College, 81-65, last Thursday for a 4-1 card.

That latest SBC win also marked the debut of Nigerian Ola Adeogun, who came out of a four-game suspension for misconduct late last year and scored nine points and hauled down 14 rebounds.

“Letran is a good team, although its standing is not really good, but we have to be ready for Letran. They really don’t want to lose to us, so we have to be ready. I know their key players, I know how they play, I just have to stay calm and play my game,” said Adeogun.

San Beda coach Ronnie Magsanoc, for his part, voiced his concern over lack of rest before the Letran game.

“We just need to have a quick turnaround because we barely have 48 hours to prepare,” said Magsanoc. “Letran is far stronger than what their win-loss standing shows. They can’t be taken lightly, this is a champion team so we have to be prepared.

“Hopefully we could recover quickly from our game, match up their energy and keep everybody sharp,” he added.

Alas, whose Knights are in a three-way tie at 2-3, vows to stop the Lions.

“This is not all about the Xs and Os anymore, it will boil down on how willing we are to compete and show heart against the defending champion,” said Alas.

Meanwhile, the Cards and the Chiefs, tied with the Knights at No. 5, clash at 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, the NCAA will hold its first out-of-town games on July 25 in Laguna with a twinbill pitting Letran against Arellano U at 1 p.m. and Arellano U versus St. Benilde at 3 p.m. at the San Luis Sports Complex in Sta. Cruz.