MANILA, Philippines—San Beda shoots for a sixth straight victory against resurgent St. Benilde Monday even as San Sebastian hopes to get back on the winning track in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
As the only unbeaten team in the tournament, the Red Lions can solidify their hold of top spot with another win at 2 p.m. against the team that gave them an early scare last season.
The Stags try to rebound against the winless Mapua Cardinals in the second game at 4 p.m.
The Lions are coming off an emphatic 81-55 win over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals last Monday.
But San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez doesn’t expect the same result against the Blazers, who have found their form in their last two games.
St. Benilde prevailed over Mapua, 79-72, last Friday in a fitting follow-up to its 85-71 win over Letran.
“They’re a tough team and it showed in their last two games,” said Fernandez of the Blazers. “We have prepared the best way we can against them.”
While St. Benilde only has Robert Bartolo as a legitimate center, the Lions have a huge advantage in size with Ola Adeogun and Kyle Pascual patrolling the paint.
The Blazers are armed with talented players in the backcourt in Paolo Taha and Mark Romero.