MANILA, Philippines—San Sebastian shoots for a share of the lead today when it clashes with Arellano U in the 88th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Stags gun for their fifth victory in six outings in the 6 p.m. duel with the Chiefs, who are coming off a 73-80 overtime defeat to the St. Benilde Blazers.
“We’re still a work in progress,” said Stags coach Topex Robinson, whose Stags barely dodged the upset axe against Lyceum last Monday after crushing erstwhile unbeaten Jose Rizal U.
Perpetual Help, running fourth with a 5-2 card, and struggling Emilio Aguinaldo College collide in the first game at 4 p.m.
The Altas, who outlasted the Mapua Cardinals, 94-88, in overtime last Thursday, are fancied to roll past the Generals, who showed plenty of fight before yielding to Letran, 62-65, last Wednesday.
San Sebastian will pin its hopes on the trio of Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang and Ronald Pascual, who buried a season-high eight triples against Lyceum.
The Chiefs’ chances will depend on the performances of James Forrester, Rocky Acidre and Virgil Zulueta, who sent the game against St. Benilde to overtime with a clutch triple with three seconds remaining in regulation.
Perpetual Help coach Aric del Rosario said the Altas should not look past the Generals despite their lowly record.
“Teams prepare harder when they play against us now,” said del Rosario. “We cannot relax.”
The Altas are a rejuvenated bunch this season with sophomore Earl Thompson and senior Jett Vidal flashing improved games.
In the win against Mapua, George Allen also provided a boost with 19 points in his first start this season, while Thompson dished out another all-around game of 22 points, 10 assists, five rebounds and four steals.
The Generals, on a five-game slide, can take heart in their performance against the Knights, where they almost rallied from 13 points down in the last five minutes.
Noube Happi has been a bright spot for the Generals, averaging 18 points and 14 rebounds.