Lions, Bombers battle for early lead

San Beda and Jose Rizal collide today in an early clash of the opening day winners as action in Season 80 of the NCAA basketball tournament resumes at the Rizal Coliseum.

Brandishing a brand new approach under a new coach Nash Racela, the Red Lions shocked the fancied and last year’s runner-up San Sebastian Stags, 76-68, while the Heavy Bombers, with Cris Calilan at the helm, stunned another pre-season favorite, host Perpetual Help Altas, 72-61, last Saturday.

Gametime is at 2 p.m.

Racela, who led the Batangas Blades to the 2001 crown in the defunct MBA and is one of Coca-Cola’s Chot Reyes’ assistants in the PBA, knows only too well that he is up against a veteran team that has been a regular fixture in the Final Four the last five seasons.

"They’re a strong team, they have the experience, they’re quick and they have a good coach," said Racela in his NCAA debut victory in the league’s inaugurals. "It’s going to be tough for us but it’s really going to be an interesting match."

The Red Lions are seeking to end a 26-year title drought behind their vaunted motion offense.

"Pareho lang talaga ng style, they run a lot and we run a lot also. They use motion offense, kami rin," Racela said.

For his part, Calilan, who steered the Ateneo Eagles to the UAAP crown in 1987 and who once coached for Barangay Ginebra and Purefoods said he’s confident of the Heavy Bombers’ title chances this year.

"Mahihirapan pero sa tingin ko kaya naman," said Calilan, a teammate of former PBA star Philip Cezar when the Bombers last won an NCAA crown in 1972.

Jenciano Domangcas, Michael Magtahao and Wynsjohn Te, who starred in their first win, however, must step up for the team since starters Marco Paolo Fajardo and Edward Attunaga are doubtful starters.

The prolific Fajardo sprained an ankle midway in the second quarter while Attunaga didn’t suit up last Saturday due to a knee injury.

Meanwhile, St. Benilde and Philippine Christian University try to barge into the win column when they clash at 4 p.m.

The Blazers came close to upending the Mapua Cardinals, a Final Four qualifier last year, but dropped an 87-88 decision while the Dolphins, now mentored by Loreto Tolentino, gave defending champion Letran Knights a scare before bowing out, 76-84.