Lions on prowl for sixth win; Eagles duel Warriors

SAN BEDA tries to sustain its strong run with new coach Ronnie Magsanoc as the Red Lions shoot for the first quarterfinal berth in the 2012 Filoil Flying V Pre-Season Hanes Cup today.

On a five-game victory roll, the favored Lions tackle the Mapua Cardinals in Group A at 3:30 p.m. at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

“It’s a learning process for all of us,” Magsanoc said a month after taking over the helm at reigning NCAA champion San Beda.

National University also hopes to keep its unbeaten streak going against Emilio Aguinaldo College in Group B action at 1:45 p.m., while Ateneo tries to pick up its fifth win in six games versus University of the East in the other Group A game at 5:15 p.m.

“Coach Norman (Black) has already laid out what the team would do,” said Ateneo assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga, who has been calling the shots for the Eagles in the absence of Black who serves as consultant for Talk ’N Text in the PBA Finals.
“It’s now up to the players to execute what coach wants them to do.”

The Blue Eagles, the four-time UAAP champs, own a 4-1 record behind the Lions’ perfect 5-0 card.

The Bulldogs, who pace Group B with a 3-0 slate, also try to stay in top form behind reigning UAAP MVP Bobby Ray Parks.

Parks, who fired 29 points in the Bulldogs’ 85-74 upset win over Far Eastern U, has also been drawing support from big man Emmanuel Mbe and new recruit Mark de Guzman.

The top four teams in each group after the single-round eliminations will advance to the crossover quarterfinals.  With a report from Randolph B. Leongson, Contributor