Lions tipped to pick 4th win

San Beda College tries to keep its win run going as it takes on San Sebastian today while Perpetual Help and Jose Rizal U clash in a duel of struggling teams in the 82nd NCAA men’s basketball wars at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Enjoying one of their finest starts in years, the Red Lions are favored to notch their fourth win in five games over the Stags in their 4 p.m. encounter owing to their solid roster led by the hulking Nigerian Samuel Ekwe and veterans Yousif Aljamal, Alexander Angeles, Rogemar Menor and Riego Gamalinda.

"We’re doing pretty well, but there are some things we must improve. Sam (Ekwe) is going well with the other players. It’s just a matter of trusting one another if we want to be successful," said SBC coach Koy Banal.

Ekwe has averaged 9.5 points and 12 rebounds with the 6-foot-8 cager expected to carry the scoring cudgels for the Red Lions again and dominate the boards the way he did in the first four games.

On the other hand, the Stags, in solo fifth with a 2-3 mark, hope to ride on their 89-85 overtime victory over the St. Benilde Blazers last Friday with coach Raymond Valenzona to pin his hopes on Jayson Ballesteros, Francis de Leon, Jim Viray and Red Vicente.

"We can’t deny the fact that San Sebastian is among the top teams this year despite losing their best player from last season," said Banal, referring Leo Najorda. "We can’t take them lightly. All the teams are actually dangerous."

Meanwhile, the Altas and the Heavy Bombers tangle at 2 p.m. with the former eyeing win No. 2 against three losses and the latter out to snap a three-game losing skid.