Sights set on sweep

The San Beda Red Lions have been on a winning run and the Mapua Cardinals, armed with newfound confidence, hope to put an end to that.

That’s why the defending champion Lions don’t plan to give an inch to the streaking Cardinals giving up an inch as they shoot for a first-round sweep on Friday at the resumption of the NCAA Season 95 men’s basketball tournament.

“We cannot take them lightly. They are really playing better now as a team,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez of the 2 p.m. match at Cuneta Astrodome.

After dropping their first five games, the Cardinals have rolled out a three-game winning streak, a quick turnaround credited largely to coach Randy Alcantara.

Mapua’s core is built around former Mapua Red Robins who captured the past two NCAA junior titles. Alcantara was the architect of those twin championships over the San Beda Red Cubs and has brought his winning formula to the seniors program.

Alcantara has drawn key performances from his former high school players Warren Bonifacio, Noah Lugo, Laurenz Victoria and Paolo Hernandez, last year’s junior Finals MVP.

“It’s been a challenging season for the team and we are slowly getting used to the style of play in the seniors [level],” Alcantara said.

Man for man, however, the unbeaten Red Lions still own the edge with veterans Donald Tankoua, Clint Doliguez and Calvin Oftana seamlessly teaming up with highly efficient guards James Kwekuteye and Evan Nelle in their past eight games.

In the other game, the College of St. Benilde is looking to wrap up its first-round campaign with a victory at the expense of the Letran Knights (5-3).

The Blazers lost twice in eight games and another win will allow them to put a lock on solo second entering the second half of the tournament.

San Sebastian (5-3) is likewise seeking a winning record as the Stags tangle with Arellano (2-6) at 4 p.m.