Lions eye No. 4 vs Blazers

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning titlist San Beda vows to sustain its tough stand against unfancied St. Benilde today, looking for its fourth straight win and a share of the lead with San Sebastian in the 87th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Lions racked up three straight wins in convincing fashions, including a methodical 90-70 rout of the Arellano U Chiefs last Monday, but they remain wary of the Blazers in their 4 p.m. encounter.

“We can’t play soft against anyone, including St. Benilde,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim.

The Blazers pulled the rug from under the Mapua Cardinals, one of the tournament favorites, 70-67, last July 13 to bounce back after dropping their first two games.

“We have to play aggressive each game, play tougher on defense and just run and run,” Lim said.

Meanwhile, Jose Rizal seeks to improve its 1-2 (win-loss) mark as it faces a struggling Mapua, still winless in three starts, at 2 p.m.

Lim is again expected to rely on big men Kyle and Jake Pascual and Dave Marcelo, who have stepped up in the absence of the injured Sudan Daniel, last year’s Finals and season MVP.

The two Pascuals and Marcelo have been delivering the goods for the Lions, combining for 30 points, 24 rebounds and seven blocks in their demolition of the Chiefs.

“I have to give it to my big men, they’re stepping up big and responding the challenge,” said Lim.

Rookie Baser Amer, the NCAA high school MVP who led San Beda to back-to-back championships, is also expected to direct San Beda’s play patterns   as he started to shrug off the pressure playing in a bigger league.

After a slow start, Amer, a triple-double machine in his junior days, scored six points, hauled down eight rebounds and dished off five assists the last time out.

“Baser is still young but he’s starting to make his mark in this league with flashes of brilliance,” said Lim.