San Beda Ready To Roar For Solo Lead Versus Stags
credits: Jan Dizon |
Only one team will remain unscathed when defending champion San Beda College and San Sebastian clash for the solo lead at the close of the 87th NCAA basketball tournament first round Friday at The Arena in San Juan.
The Red Lions and the Stags, toting similar 8-0 slates, meet for the first time since last year’s finals at 4 p.m. with the victor earning a sweep of the first round before an expected banner crowd at the 5,000-seat venue.
Both San Beda and San Sebastian are coming off sluggish outings on Aug. 10.
The Red Lions, behind Garvo Lanete’s 23 points, fended off JRU’s fierce challenge for a 77-69 victory while the Stags drew a big outing from Ian Sangalang to defeat Mapua, 71-66.
Over the past two years, the San Beda-San Sebastian collision has been fierce and physical and San Beda coach Frankie Lim is bracing for it.
“It’s not going to be easy,” San Beda coach Frankie Lim said. “It’s going to be tough and the last time we played them, Su played but ngayon wala siya and my bigs have to hold their on and that will be the challenge.”
The Mendiola-based squad, which will play minus injured reigning Most Valuable Player Sudan Daniel (ACL injury), will lean on Lanete, Dave Marcelo, Jake Pascual and Kyle Pascual in the hopes of neutralizing the Stags vaunted trio of Calvin Abueva, Ronald Pascual and Sangalang.
Abueva has been on a the rise since the start of the season, averaging 20.6 points, 12.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists, while Pascual is tallying 18.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
Sangalang, the forgotten member of San Sebastian’s “Big Three,” is also putting up impressive numbers with 17.9 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.9 blocks.
The Stags, however, are coming off so-so performance the last two games and coach Topex Robinson hopes that they could raise their level of play this time.
source: Manila Bulletin
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