Lions hunt solo lead; Knights, Cardinals aim to end drought

Games Wednesday

(The Arena, San Juan)

12 p.m. – LPU vs. SBC (jrs/srs)

4 p.m. – MIT vs. CSJL (srs/jrs)

MANILA, Philippines – San Beda shoots for a third-straight victory and the solo lead as it clashes with a rough-playing Lyceum even as last year's runner-up Letran and Mapua gun for a first victory in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Lions smashed the Cardinals, 89-55, to share the lead with the Perpetual Help Altas and the Arellano U Chiefs on two victories apiece.

Another win over the Pirates in their encounter will seal the Lions the solo lead.

Coach Boyet Fernandez is expected to draw strength from their 3-point shooting and Nigerian Ola Adeogun's defense if it wants to overcome a dangerous Lyceum, which is riding the crest of its shock 74-70 win over last year's second placer Letran Wednesday.

"Of course, our strength is our defense and it starts with Ola (Adeogun) inside," said Fernandez. "It will be a little easier also if we could make our outside shots and stretch the floor a bit, just like what we did in our last game."

San Beda buried Mapua with a season-best 14 triples in the one-sided affair.

Baser Amer owned half of it with, including going for an immaculate six-of-six in the first half, when the Lions made their move.

Amer wound up with a team-high 20 points and some confidence that he hopes to use when he faces Lyceum's stingy defense.

"It gave me confidence making those threes but I also expect Lyceum to come hard on me," said Amer in Filipino.

The Knights and the Cardinals, for their part, are eyeing their first triumph after losing their first two outings and will clash at 4 p.m.