Lions, Bombers try to fuel bids

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda and Jose Rizal U hope to stay within striking distance of unbeaten leader San Sebastian as they take on separate lesser-fancied rivals today in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Lions, running behind the Stags (11-0) in the standings with a 9-1 slate, face the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals in the 4 p.m. main game while the Bombers, in third with an 8-2 mark, tangle with the St. Benilde Blazers at 2 p.m.

The Generals are in solo eighth with a 2-8 card while the Blazers are in sixth with a 4-6 slate.

The Lions, behind Jake Pascual and Garvo Lanete’s combined 36-point output, downed the Mapua Cardinals, 84-75, last Aug. 17 to pick up their eighth straight win and ninth overall in 10 games.

The duo made up for the below-par performance of American Sudan Daniel, who finished with eight points and six rebounds.

“Su (Daniel) needs to assert himself even more,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim. “I think no one can stop him (Daniel) in this league.”

Despite EAC’s record, the Lions are expected to pour it all out against the Generals.

“We’ll come out aggressive the same way we do against other teams,” said Lim.

Like the Lions, the Bombers are fancied over the Blazers with John Agas expected to lead JRU’s bid after firing a career-high 27 points against the Perpetual Help Altas last Aug. 17.