San Beda U targets solo lead vs Letran
Credit to Author: JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA| Date: Fri, 09 Aug 2019 16:16:20 +0000
San Beda University guns for the solo lead anew when it faces archrival Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Season 95 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) seniors basketball tournament today at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
The four-peat seeking Red Lions (4-0) and the streaking Knights (5-1), final foes in 2015, collide at 2 p.m.
In the 4 p.m. second game, Arellano University (1-4) attempts to return to the win column against the struggling Mapua University (0-5).
A series of game suspensions caused by inclement weather gave San Beda a 15-day off after its 73-59 rout of San Sebastian College-Recoletos last July 26.
Bemedalled head coach Boyet Fernandez wants his Lions to remain hungry as they seek to break the deadlock at the top with fellow unbeaten team College of St. Benilde.
“We haven’t achieved anything yet. We just won four games and we still have to face strong teams. We have to be ready,” said Fernandez.
The trio of James Canlas, Evan Nelle and Cameroonian center Donald Tankoua are expected to lead the offense with the support of Calvin Oftana and Clint Doliguez.
But it will not be an easy conquest as the Knights are keen to extend their five-game winning run. Letran scored a close 89-84 win over Mapua last July 30.
“We’re trying to motivate each one. The time will come when our game will come out,” said Letran coach Bonnie Tan. “The best way is just to motivate and correct each other. We just have to be patient.”
Veteran players Jerrick Balanza, Bonbon Batiller and Larry Muyang will orchestrate the Knights’ offense together with Ato Ular and Jeo Ambohot.
Meanwhile, the NCAA management committee led by its chairman Peter Cayco of season host Arellano, will turn over a P100,000 cash donation to the survivors of the recent Batanes earthquake. Gov. Marilou Cayco will receive the donation in behalf of Batanes.