Red-hot Lions, Bombers face NCAA minnows

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda and Jose Rizal U try to firm up their hold of the second and third spots and hold off charging Letran and Arellano as they take on tailenders Angeles U and Mapua, respectively, in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan today.

The defending three-peat champion Lions routed the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals, 94-63, last Wednesday to stretch their win run to nine for 10-1 overall slate, just a game behind the San Sebastian Stags, unbeaten in 11 games.

A win over the Great Danes, tied with the Cardinals in the cellar with 1-10 cards, will boost the Lions’ bid for a fourth straight Final Four appearance.

Gametime is at 2 p.m.

“We have to come out aggressive every game, we can’t play with fire or we get burned,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim.

The Lions are expected to lean on Dave Marcelo, Garvo Lanete, Sudan Daniel, Bam Bam Gamalinda and Adler dela Rosa, who all churned out double-digit scores in their last victory.

Jose Rizal is also fancied to get past Mapua in their 4 p.m. duel with the Bombers tipped to rely again on John Wilson as they seek their 10th win in 12 games.

Wilson exploded with a career-highs 48 points and 17 rebounds to power the Bombers past the St. Benilde Blazers, 95-85, last week.

“We hope to get something out of our last game, I also hope John (Wilson) stays hot,” said JRU mentor Ariel Vanguardia.