San Beda Tightens Its Hold At #2, Faces Lastimosa, CSB

The San Beda Red Lions will try to continue their bid to move up in the standings when they clash with the College of St. Benilde Blazers in the 87th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at 2 p.m. today at The Arena.

Buoyed by a two-game winning streak, capped by a 76-59 win over the Mapua Cardinals Friday, the Red Lions (12-2) need to get past the Blazers in order to firm up their grip on second spot.

They claimed solo second place when Perpetual Help stunned erstwhile-second-running Letran, 68-53, last Monday. The Knights fell to third with a 12-3 slate.

Coach Frankie Lim said the Red Lions will need to work on their pressure defense if they want to get past the Blazers for the second time.

The return of Carlo Lastimosa, the Blazers’ scoring leader and reigning Rookie of the Year, is expected to make things challenging for the Red Lions.

At 5-9, the Blazers still have enough games left to try to jockey for a possible playoff for the no. 4 spot.

“We’re still working on that (pressure defense). Masyado kaming relaxed on our man to man. Gusto naming ma-instill ‘yung aggressiveness,” said Lim.

Henry Atayde, CSB’s representative to the NCAA Management Committee, said Lastimosa has enrolled last Saturday for the second semester. He has already been given clearance by the school to play for the team again.

Lastimosa’s return will be critical for the Blazers, who are making a late push for a Final Four berth with a 5-9 record.

Meanwhile, the NCAA Mancom has delayed its decision on whether to allow foreign students to play in the league after its meeting was postponed yesterday because of the inclement weather.

source: Peter Atencio, MS