All-Pinoy Red Lions Battles Altas

Weakened by the absence of import Sudan Daniel, San Beda College expects a rough sailing when it opens its title-retention bid Saturday against host University of Perpetual Help at the start of the 87th NCAA basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

“The biggest challenge for us is to win minus Sudan Daniel,” Red Lions coach Frankie Lim said Friday.

The country’s oldest collegiate league begins with a 12 noon opening ceremony which will be keynoted by boxing superstar and Rep. Manny Pacquiao.

The Lions dominated the field last year en route to an 18-0 romp for their 15th cage crown overall.

But without the American center, who suffered an ACL injury during the Filoil preseason tournament last April, they lost “10 points and 10 rebounds output per game,” Lim said.

Daniel, though, is still listed on the active roster.

Expected to fill up his shoes is Dave Marcelo while Garvo Lanete, Jake Pascual are expected to lead the scoring with Anjo Caram, Jess Villahermosa and Paolo Pontejos expected to fill the shoes left by ace guard Borgie Hermida, who graduated after last season.

Game time is 2 p.m. with the Altas hoping to start the year on a bright note despite a coaching change days before the opener.