NCAA: Lions seek win No. 2 vs Generals Thursday

San Beda isn’t at full strength yet but coach Jamike Jarin expects his squad to come out with the same ferocity as in its season opener when the Red Lions shoot for a second win against the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals Thursday in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament.

The Lions opened their title defense with a 102-89 whipping of the Mapua Cardinals last Saturday despite missing the injured Ola Adeogun and Baser Amer.

Jarin expects no letup from the Lions in the 2 p.m. duel with the Generals who will parade a revamped roster now handled by former pro Andy De Guzman.

“We have to make sure that we come out strong because there are no easy games in this league,” said Jarin.

The Cardinals look to bounce back against the debuting San Sebastian Stags at 4 p.m.

Adeogun is likely to return from a hamstring injury while Amer remains sidelined and could be out for one more week. The absence of the duo has allowed Art dela Cruz to take the lead for the Lions. He finished with 27 points, 17 boards and six assists.

Jarin remains keen on tweaking the Lions’ defense after giving up plenty of transition baskets to the Cardinals.

“Definitely, we’re not happy with our defense but it’s a work in progress,” said Jarin who also got double digit outputs from Ranbill Tongco, Ryusei Koga and Pierre Tankoua in the win over the Cardinals.

The Generals have tapped Cameroonians Laminou Hamadou and Mbang Adoum Abba  in place of Noube Happi as they gun for a first Final Four appearance since joining the league in 2009.

Mapua can take plenty of encouragement even in defeat to San Beda as Josan Nimes looked sharp after a two season layoff while Allwell Oraeme delivered a double-double before fouling out.

It will be former pro Rodney Santos’ first game in charge of the Stags who have Bradwyn Guinto and Jamil Ortuoste as holdovers from last year’s team.

Meanwhile, the NCAA Management Committee chaired by Melchor Divina of Mapua upheld the recommendation of commissioner Arturo “Bai” Cristobal forfeiting La Salle-Greenhills’ 88-49 win over Letran Tuesday due to uniform violations.

Three players from LSGH had uniform numbers not allowed by the league which limits participants to wear jersey numbers 4 to 19.