Red Lions, Coach Frankie Ready To Reclaim No.1 Spot

For the last five years, San Beda has enjoyed its view from the top at least after the elimination round being the number one seed entering the semifinals phase.

The Red Lions are hoping it would stay that way this season when they go up against league leader San Sebastian on Wednesday in the 87th NCAA men's basketball tournament.

San Sebastian won 16 out of its 17 games in the season but San Beda (15-2) is hoping that it can force a playoff for the top spot in the final day of the elimination round.

"The last four years, we have been number one in the eliminations and we want to stay in number one," said San Beda coach Frankie Lim. "We will go all out against San Sebastian."

The Red Lions have not occupied the top spot since they went 4-10 in 2005. Since then, they have won four of the last five seasons including an 18-game sweep last year.

The Red Lions are facing a similar situation in 2009 when there was a playoff for the top-seeding in the Final Four. San Beda took the first-seed against San Sebastian, 71-65, but the Stags won the crown against the Red Lions in two games.

San Beda showed its top form last Friday as it defeated Letran, 84-68, to set up the possible playoff for number one spot.

Garvo Lanete finished with 28 points while Anthony Semerad had 16 points while limiting Letran's top scorer Kevin Alas to 14 markers.

"We got him (Alas) frustrated," Lim said. "I seldom talk about our defense but we forced Letran to less than 70 points which was good for us."

So the stage is set for San Beda against San Sebastian as the Red Lions are looking to avenge its 70-68 loss to San Sebastian in the first round snapping their 26-game winning streak.

"We've been preparing for Baste (San Sebastian) since last week. But I told them that the most important game for us is against Letran because if we lose, we face a must-win situation against Baste," Lim said.

"But now the pressure is out and we are going for number one," Lim added.

source: GMA News