Well-rested San Beda Red Lions face EAC Generals Friday
MANILA—San Beda hopes to come out strong after what its coach said was a much-needed layoff when the defending champion Red Lions tangle with the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals Friday in the 87th NCAA basketball tournament.
Fresh from a nine-day break, the Red Lions shoot for a 10th victory in 11 games in the 2 p.m. encounter with the Generals, who are seeking to avoid a sixth loss in their last seven games at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Mapua and Lyceum part ways in the 4 p.m. duel that could eventually determine the fourth semifinalist.
Owner of the league’s third-best active winning streak at three, the Cardinals (5-6) try to continue their climb against the Pirates (5-5), who beat them in the first round, 76-73.
“We needed the break,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim, whose squad lost to San Sebastian and beat Perpetual in the space of three days almost two weeks ago.
With the Letran Knights, who tote a 9-2 slate, breathing down their necks, the Lions need the victory to tighten their grip of second spot.
Once mired in a three-game slide, the Cardinals are finally playing like the title contender they were billed before the start of the season, with two victories over Perpetual sandwiching a thrilling overtime triumph St. Benilde in the last two weeks.
With a fourth-best 5-5 record, guest team Lyceum has continued to be the surprise package of the season, opening the second round with a 71-65 conquest of Jose Rizal U last Wednesday.
But Lyceum will be missing a key cog in Floricel Guevarra, who topscored for his team with 23 points in their initial battle. Guevarra will sit out the game after he was ejected in the victory over JRU.
The Lions’ bid will hinge on performances from Garvo Lanete, their leading scorer with almost 18 points per game, and big men Dave Marcelo, Kyle Pascual and Jake Pascual.
The Generals will pin their hopes on Joshua Torralba, Jan Jamon and Claude Cubo, an inside operator, who has shown improvement with his perimeter game this season.
