Stags, Lions seek seventh victories

Manila, Philippines–Co-leaders San Sebastian and San Beda seek to stretch their unbeaten runs when they tangle with separate foes Wednesday in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan.  The Lions take the floor first at 2 p.m. against the sputtering St. Benilde Blazers with the Stags and the Arellano Chiefs clashing later at 4. Both San Sebastian and San Beda hope to nail their seventh wins in as many games. The games will be their last before their keenly awaited showdown on Aug. 18.  “Honestly, we’re not yet thinking of the San Beda game because we want to concentrate on preparing against one opponent at a time,” said San Sebastian coach Ato Agustin. Aiming for a second championship after sweeping the Lions in the finals last year, the Stags have shown signs of vulnerability. They survived a late St. Benilde run in a 75-74 victory two weeks ago. The Lions, however, are playing like a well-oiled machine. They crushed the Arellano Chiefs, 92-58, Wednesday behind a sensational 65-point explosion in the second half. St. Benilde may be standing in the way of San Beda today but Lions coach Frankie Lim certainly has the Stags on his mind. “We needed as many big wins as possible because we want to gain and build our confidence before we face San Sebastian,” said Lim, who is expected to have high-scoring guard Garvo Lanete back for the game.