Lyceum pursues the job of joining Mapua University on top when they tangle in Season 99 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Cardinals are actually on top but a loss to their Intramuros neighbor will enable the Pirates to join them at the top spot as the Final Four race intensifies.
The last time these two teams met, Mapua came out on top, 87-83, in the first round and another win could strengthen their bid for a return to the semifinals.
But before that mouth-watering matchup starts, Emilio Aguinaldo College aims to strengthen its own Final Four bid as it faces defending champion Letran College at 2 p.m.
The Generals, who hold a 6-5 record in sixth place, are looking to get as many wins as possible to catch up with San Beda University and College of Saint Benilde, teams that are tied for fourth place.
But all eyes will be on Mapua and Lyceum.
Clint Escamis will once again be relied on for the Cardinals after dropping 21 points in their 69-66 win over the Knights last Saturday.
Still, the former Mapua Red Robin insists that head coach Randy Alcantara’s system will give everybody a chance to shine if needed.
“We focus on the system. When we do that, everybody can make open shots that where my shots came from,” Escamis said.
“Our endgame plays is something we’re still working on since we had lapses in our game against Letran.”
Apart from Escamis, Paolo Hernandez and Warren Bonifacio will be one of the key players for Mapua today.
As for Pirates head coach Gilbert Malabanan, he will again rely on the team’s unpredictability to confuse the Cardinals.
“You won’t know who will explode for our team. Our last game, Vince Cunanan took over and against EAC, it was Oman Omandac who stepped up,” Malabanan said.
Also expecting to help out the Pirates are Shawn Umali, Renz Villegas, Mac Guadana and team captain Enoch Valdez.
