In-form Lions, Cards eye 3rd straight wins

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

SAN BEDA and Mapua seek to extend their unbeaten run when they clash with separate rivals Tuesday at the resumption of the NCAA Season 92 basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Red Lions go up against a dangerous Emilio Aguinaldo College squad at 2 p.m. after Mapua battles Lyceum in the first game of a triple-header capped by the game between Jose Rizal U and St. Benilde tussle at 4 p.m.

Both San Beda and Mapua are targeting third straight victories that will push them ahead of co-leader Arellano U.

The league took a 10-day break in support of the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

The Red Lions unveiled a gem of a recruit in Filipino-American swingman Davon Potts, who has shown a knack of taking over games down the stretch for San Beda.

Potts, a 23-year-old rookie transferee from US NCAA Division II Cal State, nailed the telling blows in the Lions’ 89-85 win over the defending champions Letran Knights on June 25 and in a 91-86 triumph over the Lyceum Pirates three days later.

Potts has scored a combined 21 points in the fourth quarter of both games.

“It’s his way of introducing himself to everyone,” San Beda coach Jamike Jarin said of Potts, whose mother is from Rosario, Cavite.

The Generals are expected to give the Lions a stiff challenge with a core led by Cameroonian center Hamadou Laminou, who has averaged 19.5 points and 15.5 rebounds.

The Cardinals are off to their best start under coach Atoy Co with reigning MVP Allwell Oraeme averaging 20.5 points and 19 rebounds in the Cardinals’ first two games.

The Pirates will try to counter with the trio of Wilson Baltazar, Mer Ayaay and Shaq Alanes, who struggled in the loss to the Lions.

JRU coach Vergel Meneses is seeking a strong response from the Heavy Bombers who have struggled to get going this season. He  ripped his players for their listless form in their recent 50-58 defeat to the Perpetual Help Altas.