Lions out to devour Knights, too

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda tries to stay on top as it takes on a surging Letran today even as Emilio Aguinaldo hopes to keep its streak going against Mapua in the 88th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

The Lions, showing the way with a 9-2 slate, face the resurgent Knights coming off back-to-back victories in the 6 p.m. main game. After a struggling start, Letran is now back in the Final Four hunt with a 6-5 card, just behind the fourth-running Perpetual Help (7-4).

The Generals, meanwhile, hope to extend their three-game streak as they clash with the Mapua Cardinals at 4 p.m. The two teams share sixth place at 4-7.

Led by Cameroonian double-double artist Noube Happi, EAC rolled past St. Benilde, 76-61, San Sebastian, 77-67, and Arellano U, 76-57, to likewise revive its slim semifinal hopes.

“It’s nice to have a streak but it would be nicer to make it to the Final Four so we are hoping to win some more,” said EAC coach Gerry Esplana.

San Beda, led by Baser Amer, has been pretty impressive the last few games, beating Letran, Lyceum and St. Benilde with an average winning margin of 27 points.

Amer has dished out 27 assists in the Lions last two wins.

Focus will also be on the 6-6 Raymond Almazan, back after missing seven games to help lead the Knights in their last two victories over the Cardinals, 72-60, and Altas, 62-57.

Almazan, a member of the league’s First Mythical Team last year, finished with game-highs 16 rebounds and four blocks and four points against the Las Piñas-based squad.

Letran is eyeing its first win over San Beda since Rey Guevarra dunked on Nigerian Samuel Ekwe in a come-from-behind 70-69 squeaker on July 25, 2007.

The Lions have dominated the Knights from there, winning their next 13 games, including a 65-43 rout in the first round last Aug. 16.

“His (Almazan) contribution to the team is not just his defensive presence,” said Letran coach Louie Alas. “It’s actually more psychological because the other players seemed to be more relax knowing that we have another player who they can rely on to do the dirty work inside.”