SAN BEDA shoots for a third straight victory when it faces struggling Mapua today in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
A victory by the Lions in the 6 p.m. meeting with the Cardinals will push them to solo second spot behind idle Letran, which sports a perfect 4-0 slate.
Jose Rizal tries to climb out of a four-team logjam for fourth when it battles Emilio Aguinaldo College in the first game at 4 p.m.
Tied with San Sebastian, Lyceum and Arellano at 2-2, the Bombers are seeking back-to-back wins for the first time this season after their narrow 73-71 overtime victory over the St. Benilde Blazers last Thursday.
The Generals remain hopeful that their main man Happi Noube breaks out of his early-season funk.
Noube’s performance has been a far cry from his play last season where he averaged double-digits in points and rebounds.
Slump
The Cardinals, with a 1-3 slate, have not won since their 102-97 double overtime conquest of San Sebastian two weeks ago.
The Lions, on the other hand, are on a two-game winning run after splitting their first two games.
The play of Baser Amer is the main reason behind San Beda’s resurgence with the point guard delivering big plays down the stretch.
Amer took matters into his own hands in the 80-65 dumping of Emilio Aguinaldo College last Monday.
Go-to guy
The Cardinals are hoping to turn their fortunes around with their newfound go-to-guy Kenneth Ighalo, who has added three-point shooting to his offensive arsenal this season. Ighalo paced the Cardinals in the 59-66 loss to the Arellano Chiefs Thursday.