MANILA, Philippines— Rather than focus on the positives of their latest win, San Beda College coach Frankie Lim put a different spin to keep his Lions on their toes for the rest of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

“We’re the defending champions,” Lim said. “Whether it’s a team on a roll or a struggling team, they will be coming up with their A-game against us.”

So despite the College of St. Benilde’s recent misfortunes, Lim remains cautious of the Blazers, who kicked off their campaign with two straight victories before dropping three straight.

The Lions, running second behind Letran College, will be shooting for a fourth consecutive win in their 2 p.m. duel with the Blazers, who are coming off a 63-57 setback from the Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals Friday.

Letran tries to stay on top when it battles another struggling team in University of Perpetual Help in the second game at 4 p.m. at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

“St. Benilde has beaten a stronger team in PCU (Philippine Christian University) so we just have to be ready for them,” said Lim, who is seeking to steer the Lions to a third straight crown.

“We can’t afford to relax especially with our game against Letran just around the corner.” Cedelf P. Tupas