Lions to firm up No. 1 post vs Knights

MANILA, Philippines - Leader San Beda hopes to close out its first round elims campaign with a win and a one-game cushion over No. 2 Arellano U as it clashes with a slumping Letran side today in the 90th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

While the Red Lions sustained their top form after completing a four-peat feat last season, the Knights continued to flounder after finishing runner-up last season, barely ahead of the last-placed Mapua Cardinals with a woeful 2-6 card.

But facing their arch-rivals could provide some spark for the Knights although the odds remain heavily stacked against them in their 4 p.m. encounter with the Lions.

A win will firm up San Beda’s hold of the top spot heading to the second round while a loss will enabled Arellano to force a tie for first after the Chiefs posted their best start in years at 7-2,

The Knights, meanwhile, are on a tailspin and must pile up wins to revive their sagging Final Four hopes alive.

The Perpetual Help-St. Benilde clash at 2 p.m., meanwhile, looms as a toss-up with the Altas eyeing their sixth win in nine games for a share of third and the Blazers out to bounce back from a heartbreaking loss to the Chiefs that snapped their big four-game run.

Focus will be on the high-scoring Juneric Baloria, who exploded for a season-high 32-point effort in propelling the Altas to an 85-82 win over the Knights last Saturday.

The 24-year-old Baloria scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, including the marginal basket.

But Baloria is in for a tough outing against the Blazers, who are reeling from a heartbreaking 67-66 loss to Arellano U last Friday.

“I’m expecting St. Benilde’s defense to focus more on me so I need to make extra adjustments,” said Baloria.