MANILA, Philippines–San Beda shoots for a fifth straight victory Wednesday when it takes on Perpetual Help in the 86th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
A victory in the 4 p.m. showdown will boost the Red Lions, winners of three straight titles until 2009, to the solo lead ahead of idle San Sebastian, which also totes a 4-0 record.
St. Benilde tries to bounce back from a stinging defeat to JRU when it battles Emilio Aguinaldo in the first game at 2 p.m.
The Blazers got off to a flying start when they stunned the Arellano U Chiefs, 70-64, last July 5 but rammed into a bigger, more experienced Jose Rizal Bombers (4-1) in a 65-74 defeat Friday.
The Generals remain winless in three games, a cause for concern since coach Nomar Isla practically has the same squad as last year when they posted six victories.
The Red Lions go into the game on the back of sensational victories over Letran, Mapua, Emilio Aguinaldo College and Jose Rizal U.
Except for the 69-64 triumph over Mapua two weeks ago, the Lions have walloped their rivals by twin digits.
And coach Frankie Lim is looking for another convincing win against the Altas, who have looked disjointed this season after two of their players got disqualified just days before the season.
“The key is to stay aggressive,” said Lim, who has a whopping average winning margin of 24.5 points.
Lim has credited his bench, which has contributed immensely in crucial moments, for the Lions strong start.
The starting unit led by Garvo Lanete and Borgie Hermida, who combined for 38 points in the 77-61 victory over Letran last week, have delivered as expected.
“We’re deeper now, I guess that was the key to our earlier run,” said Lim, whose wards lost to San Sebastian in last year’s finals.