MANILA, Philippines - San Beda hopes to sustain its charge and keep in step with unbeaten leader Letran as it collides with a struggling Mapua side in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan today.
The Lions are on a roll after splitting their first two games, scoring a pair of double-digit victories over the Arellano Chiefs, 67-54, and the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 80-65, to share second with the Perpetual Help Altas at 3-1 before the Knights’ 4-0 card.
They are tipped to extend their run to three in their 6 p.m. showdown with the Cardinals, who have lost three of their first four outings to drop to joint eighth with the Generals in the 10-team field.
“If we keep on playing the way we’re playing in our last two games, we’ll have a chance,†said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez, who is expected to pin his hopes again on the explosive pair of Nigerian Ola Adeogun and Baser Amer.
In their last two wins, Adeogun normed 12 points, 14.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks while Amer averaged 13 points and seven assists.
“We’re riding on what Ola and Baser give us, they’re two of the leaders of this team,†said Fernandez.
Meanwhile, Jose Rizal tries to break off a four-way logjam at fourth with San Sebastian, Arellano U and Lyceum on 2-2 cards as it tangles with EAC, at 4 p.m.
The Bombers are coming off a 73-71 overtime win over the St. Benilde Blazers last Thursday.
“Hopefully it gives us motivation to win more games,†said JRU coach Vergel Meneses.