Altas vs Lions in duel of ‘NC’ heavies

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda and Perpetual Help clash today in what promises to be an explosive matchup between two title contenders even as Lyceum tries to check its skid against San Sebastian in the 90th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

While the Red Lions have dominated the Altas in their previous face-offs, the Las Piñas-based squad has been dishing out solid games at the start of the season, winning five of their first seven matches and making SBC coach Boyet Fernandez wary over their chances in the 2 p.m. contest.

At 6-1, San Beda is a just game ahead of Arellano (5-2) while Perpetual Help is in third at 4-2 and resurgent Jose Rizal U and St. Benilde half-games behind at 4-3.

What makes Perpetual tough is that its second unit has been stepping up, providing the much needed backup to the Altas’ top guns Juneric Baloria, Harold Arboleda and Earl Thompson.

“It’s not just about the big three of Baloria, Arboleda and Thompson anymore, (Justine) Alano has been playing well and Joel Jolangcob has been giving good energy off the bench, so we have to watch out for them,“ said Fernandez.

But Perpetual Help coach Aric del Rosario will also have a lot of adjustments to do in defense as the Altas hope to slow own the likes of Ola Adeogun, Art dela Cruz and Baser Amer.

The Pirates and the Stags, meanwhile, tangle at 4 p.m. with both teams hoping to check their skid at each other’s expense.

Lyceum has dropped its last two games to fall to 4-4 while San Sebastian is on a three-game skid after an impressive 3-1 start.