SBC, MIT gun for share of ‘NC’ lead

San Beda College and Mapua Institute of Technology shoot for a share of the lead as they take on separate rivals today in the 79th NCAA basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Red Lions face the Letran Knights at 2 p.m., hoping to score a follow-up to their 73-65 victory over the Philippine Christian University Dolphins in Saturday’s opener at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Cardinals, who walloped the Knights, 66-58, on the other hand, tackle the Jose Rizal Bombers at 4 p.m.

San Beda and Mapua nailed opening day victories together with San Sebastian and University of Perpetual Help of Rizal.

Letran and Jose Rizal, for their part, try to bounce back from those opening day setbacks. While the Knights lost to the Cardinals, the Bombers dropped a 77-81 decision to the three-peat seeking Stags.

After a long, losing season, the Lions are now confident of their chances this year. "We know we are capable of winning more games this season compared to last year, I just hope we could sustain the momentum," said San Beda coach Jonathan Reyes.

San Beda’s acknowledged leader Arjun Cordero is expected to carry his team on his shoulders anew following a 21-point outburst in their first game with rookies Jover Padilla and Ronnie Bughao adding 12 and 11 points, respectively.

While San Beda has Cordero, Mapua has Jeff Martin.

Hardened by a forgettable experience of last year when he was banned the rest of the season due to unsportsmanlike conduct, Martin is back with vengeance, leading the Cardinals to an impressive win over fancied Letran.

"We definitely need a leader on the court and I think Jeff Martin is the one," said Mapua mentor Horacio Lim.