Rested Red Lions face Cards

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda hopes to come out strong from a two-week layoff as it faces a struggling Mapua side today even as Letran takes on lowly Lyceum in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Lions had not seen action since thumping the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals, 81-65, last July 19 but the Mendiola-based cagers will still be the odds-on favorites against the Cardinals in the 6 p.m. clash.

The extended SBC break, also caused by the postponement of its game against Letran due to inclement weather two weekends ago, has enabled Jose Rizal U, San Sebastian and in-form Perpetual Help to build some cushion from the defending champions with a series of victories the last two weeks.

The Bombers and the Stags now share the lead at 6-1 while the Altas are just behind at 6-2.

“I’m wary of it but it’s part of the game, we just have to will ourselves to play hard,” said SBC coach Ronnie Magsanoc.

At 4-1, San Beda has indeed a lot of catching up to do but the Lions remain confident of their chances against the Cardinals, down in the lower half of the 10-team field with a 2-4 slate.

Nigerian rookie Ola Adeogun, who debuted with nine points, 14 rebounds and four blocks in 22 minutes against the Generals after serving out a four-game suspension, is again tipped to lead SBC’s charge against a Mapua side hoping to draw good games from rookies Gab Banal, Joseph Eriobu, Jessie Saitanan and Mark Brana, who have been given the green light to play for the Cardinals by the league’s eligibility committee.

Like San Beda, Letran will be trying to improve on its standing at 3-3 although the Knights are expected to have their hands full against the Pirates, who are out to revive their faltering bid after a 2-6 start. They clash at 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, The Arena manager Lyn Manansala told The STAR that they have replaced both rings with brand-new ones after one was broken by SSC’s Calvin Abueva, who smashed it with his power dunks during a pre-game warm-up against the Generals.

“We’ve installed two brand-new rings,” said Manansala.