Crucial outings for NCAA heavyweights today

DEFENDING champion San Beda and University of Perpetual Help Dalta System aim to keep their winning streaks going even as San Sebastian College takes on dangerous Jose Rizal University in a battle of heavyweights today in NCAA men’s basketball at Filoil Flying V Arena.

The Red Lions are on a roll, beating their last four opponents by a margin of 19.3 points to stay close behind leader Letran Knights, who remain unbeaten in six games following their conquest of the Arellano Chiefs on Thursday.

Also on a winning stretch, the Altas are tied with the Lions at 5-1, although they had to lean on the late heroics of rookie Juneric Baloria and Cameroonian Nosa Omorogbe to accomplish the task.

Baloria was simply deadly from the perimeter after averaging 17.3 points in those victories.

The 6-foot-4 Omorogbe is also slowly finding his range. He scored a career-high 25 points during their 73-68 triumph over the Mapua Cardinals on Monday.

Turnover prone, Omorogbe can be a serious threat in the paint once he eliminates those nasty miscues.

“I’ve seen the videos, my turnovers were terrible,” said Omorogbe, the league leader in turnovers.

But Perpetual coach Aric Del Rosario is confident that his import will become more efficient as the league wears on.

“He’s starting to gain confidence with the ball,” said Perpetual coach Aric Del Rosario of his import. “I hope he sustains it. Against San Beda, we can’t afford those costly mistakes.”