Favored Stags, Blazers dispute solo lead today

Defending champion San Sebastian and College of Saint Benilde take on each other today in an early clash between this year’s favorites in the 78th NCAA basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Retaining the core of the team that copped last year’s title, the Stags pummeled Perpetual Help, 74-65, in last Saturday’s season opener – a victory that gave the opposing teams a glimpse of their true strength in the tournament.

Equally impressive in their opening game were the Blazers, who likewise made a statement by whipping Jose Rizal, 82-67. The winner of the 4 p.m. encounter will take the early lead at 2-0 .

"What’s good about this team is that it knows how to play good basketball even if the starters are playing poorly," said St. Benilde coach Dong Vergaire.

Making things easier for St. Benilde was the fact that Jose Rizal, last year’s losing finalist, has lost the services of key players Nani Epondulan, the 2001 MVP, and Ariel Capus to the pro ranks.

But against the Stags, the Blazers will be in for some rough sailing. St. Benilde swept San Sebastian in the best-of-three finals two years ago.

"Siyempre, gusto rin naming makabawi sa St. Benilde kasi sila ‘yung tumalo sa aming sa finals nung 2000," said SSC coach Turing Valenzona. "Mahirap kalimutan ’yung alaala na iyon dahil isa iyon sa mga dahilan kung bakit nagpursige ang mga bata."

While San Sebastian still has Christian Coronel, Jam Alfad, Roy Falcasantos, Nicole Uy, Paul Reguerra and 6-foot-7 Fil-Am Clark Moore, St. Benilde still has Sunday Salvacion, Alex Magpayo, Ronald Capati, Loreto Tolentino, Jan Coching and Titus Mendoza in the team.

Meanwhile, host San Beda College and UPHR try to regain their footing when they face each other at 2 p.m. The two teams both lost their initial games this season.