MANILA, Philippines—San Beda guns for an 11th straight victory, even as San Sebastian and Jose Rizal U figure in a showdown that could eventually determine one of the two teams that will secure a twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four of the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan Wednesday.
The Lions, leading the pack with an immaculate 10-0 record, are favored to repeat their first-round win over the Perpetual Help Altas in their 2 p.m. duel serving as an appetizer for the Stags-Bombers tiff.
Toting a 9-1 record, reigning champion San Sebastian is hard-pressed to hurdle Jose Rizal and keep its position as the second round heads into the homestretch.
“This game is very important to us, and my players know that,” said San Sebastian coach Ato Agustin. “We need to separate ourselves from JRU and still challenge for the top seeding in the semifinals.”
Ronald Pascual and Calvin Abueva are expected to be back for the Stags.
Pascual was sidelined by the flu in the Stags’ 62-51 triumph over St. Benilde last Friday, while Abueva, the MVP derby leader after the first round, sprained his ankle in that game.
Without a reliable go-to guy, the Bombers have somehow pulled out victories by showing fine form in the stretch. Jose Rizal held off Perpetual Help, 66-55, last Wednesday.
Filipino-American guard Nate Matute has been a revelation for the Bombers in the second round, averaging 18 points in back-to-back victories over the Altas and the Letran Knights.
San Sebastian is seeking a repeat of its 72-59 conquest of JRU in the first round.
Despite the huge disparity in their records, San Beda coach Frankie Lim believes the Lions cannot take it easy against the Altas.
“We have to be careful because teams always play better against us,” said Lim, whose Lions crushed the Altas, 101-77, in the first round. “We need to match their energy and rely on the depth of our bench.”
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