Pacesetting Red Lions eye fifth victory vs Generals

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda tries to stretch its winning run to five when it tackles Emilio Aguinaldo College Monday even as embattled Letran seeks to rediscover its lethal form in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Red Lions hope to solidify their hold of top spot in the 2 p.m. duel with the Generals, who have yet to play to their lofty billing in their first four outings this season.

With a 4-0 card, San Beda is heavily favored especially with a lineup that boasts of battle-tested veterans and talented rookies.

Meanwhile, the Knights try to return to their winning ways against the St. Benilde Blazers in the 4 p.m. showdown.

Toting a 1-3 record, Letran will miss coach Caloy Garcia who was suspended after the mentor was ejected in the 60-69 loss to Jose Rizal University.

But Letran also got a reprieve when the NCAA management committee reduced the suspension of guard Mark Cruz into a warning.

Cruz got into a heated argument with referee Ian Borbe after the game. Borbe was later slapped with a three-game suspension.

With Cruz available, the Knights hope to finally find fluidity in their offense and add teeth to their defense after a sub-par performance in the endgame against the Bombers.

The Blazers, with a 0-3 mark, are growing increasingly desperate to find their first win.

The matchup between centers Ola Adeogun  of San Beda and Noube Happi of EAC provides an interesting subplot in the first game.