Lions, Chiefs face tailenders

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda and Arellano switch lowly opponents as they try to remain at helm with the Red Lions taking on the San Sebastian Stags and the Chiefs battling the Mapua Cardinals in the 90th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan today.

The Red Lions scrambled past the Cardinals, 74-69, and the Chiefs survived the Stags, 101-98, last Wednesday but the co-leaders, are tipped to repeat over their respective rivals at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. owing to their form and talent.

Still, coaches of San Beda and Arellano, who share the lead at 8-2, remain wary of their chances against the league’s tailenders.

“It’s hard to play a team coming off a loss like San Sebastian so we have to be ready to face a team eyeing to bounce back from a close setback,” said SBC coach Boyet Fernandez.

“Don’t be deceived by their record because Mapua (1-9) is getting better every game,” said Arellano mentor Jerry Codiñera.

Victories by San Beda and Arellano will firm up their bid for the top two spots in the Final Four, leaving the fight for the last two to Perpetual Help, Jose Rizal U and St Benilde, which all tote 6-4 slates, with Lyceum and Letran still in the hunt with 5-5 and 4-6 records, respectively.