Games today:
(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
2 p.m. — Saint Benilde vs EAC
4 p.m. — San Beda vs San Sebastian
San Beda University aims to fortify its spot at second spot when it faces San Sebastian College in Season 99 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament today at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Armed with a 5-2 win-loss card, the Red Lions do battle at 4 p.m. as they look to stay within the top four spots in the standings.
Meanwhile, Emilio Aguinaldo College and College of Saint Benilde lock horns at 2 p.m. in the first game.
Both the Generals and the Blazers have similar 4-3 win-loss records and are currently outside of the top four.
San Beda weathered Jose Rizal University, 74-70, and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, 62-60, for back-to-back wins thanks to the efforts of Filipino-Canadian cager Jomel Puno.
In fact, Puno, who is playing in his rookie season with the Lions, dished out a double-double performance of 12 points and 17 rebounds against the Altas last Tuesday.
San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta believes the Filipino-Canadian’s length will be useful against the Golden Stags, who are coming of a sorry 71-86 loss to defending champion Letran College last Wednesday.
“Jom playing at the three is always an advantage for us because his activity crashing the boards and his length and his athleticism are our advantage,” Escueta said.
Also backing up Puno for San Beda is third year guard Jacob Cortez, who is in third place in the league’s top scorers with an average of 16 points in seven games.
The Lions will have their eyes peeled on Rafael Are, who dropped 20 points in the Stags’ loss against the Knights.
San Sebastian is currently tied at seventh place with Perpetual with identical 3-5 slates and hopes to improve its rank at the end of the first round.
Mapua leads the pack with a 7-1 mark.
