Lions seek No. 3 vs tough Pirates

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda braces for a tough outing as it faces a rugged Lyceum side, looking for a third straight win and the solo lead in the 90th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City today.

Letran and Mapua, meanwhile, clash in a duel of winless squads in the other game.

The Lions launched their drive for a record five-peat with a 57-49 rout of the Jose Rizal U Bombers and an 89-55 demolition of the Mapua Cardinals. But the Mendiola-based squad sees a tight duel with the Pirates, who are coming off a shock 74-70 victory over last year’s runner-up Knights for joint fifth with the idle Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals at 1-1.

San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez stresses the need to toughen up on defense to sustain their win run with Nigerian behemoth Ola Adeogun expected to impose his will and strength inside.

“Our strength is our defense and it starts with Ola (Adeogun) inside,” said Fernandez.

Gametime is at 2 p.m. with Red Lions out to break from a three-way tie for the lead with the Perpetual Help Altas and the hot-starting Arellano University Chiefs.

Focus will also be on Baser Amer, who hit half of San Beda’s 14 triples against Mapua. The ace playmaker wound up with a team-high 20 points but is expected to encounter stiff resistance from the Pirates defenders.

The Knights and the Cardinals, meanwhile, tangle at 4 p.m., each looking for their first win after dropping their first two matches.

But Letran, last year’s runner, is favored to get past Mapua, which finished last last season with only two wins to show.