It's Payback Time: San Beda Battles Altas
San Beda has almost everything it wanted even before the second round ends – a Final Four berth, the top seeding and a twice-to-beat advantage.
But its mission would not be completed if the Red Lions could not exact revenge against University of Perpetual Help.
So that will be the biggest challenge for the Red Lions when they collide against the Altas today in the 88th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Game time is at 6 p.m. with San Beda out to avenge their stinging 88-87 overtime loss to the Altas last July 12.
It was a defeat so painful for the Red Lions, especially for Baser Amer.
Amer capped San Beda’s searing rally with a miraculous buzzer-beating trey from other side of the court that forced an extension.
Sadly, San Beda failed to sustain their charge in the extra five minutes, thus tainting its record.
Even Perpetual coach Aric del Rosario knows it very well that San Beda will come out strong in the hope of beating the Altas.
“Siguradong gaganti sa amin ang mga yan kaya dapat handa kami,” said del Rosario, whose first round win enabled the Altas to snap their seven-year lossng streak to the Red Lions.
“Baka maka-tsamba ulit kami sa kanila, hindi mo masabi,” added del Rosario in jest.
Surely, the Altas need to beat the Red Lions again to untangle themselves from a three-team logjam for third to fifth places to boost their semis bid.
The Altas are tied with Letran at 10-6 with Jose Rizal University closely behind in fifth at 10-7.
The Knights are expected to cruise to an easy win when they clash with the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals at 4 p.m.
JRU, on other hand, forged a tie with Letran and Perpetual following their stunning 82-74 win over second running San Sebastian. The Stags slipped to 11-5.
Unlike in their first meeting, San Beda will now have center Ola Adegun, who averages 10 points and eight boards a game. Adeogun missed that first game against Perpetual serving a three-game suspension.
Aside from Amer, also expected to shine for the Lions are Jake Pascual, Rome Dela Rosa
“Difficulties are part of every game. Iba ibang teams, iba-iba binibigay. The key is to have a good preparation and to also have consistency among my players,” said San Beda mentor Ronnie Magsanoc.
source: MB Sports
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