By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
San Beda seeks to regain its winning form when it battles Arellano today in the NCAA men’s basketball at The Arena in San Juan City.
Set at 4 p.m., the Red Lions are determined to move on after absorbing a stinging 73-66 defeat to the streaking Lyceum Pirates last Tuesday.
The win enabled the Pirates to complete a 9-game sweep of the first round elims while handing the Lions their first defeat in seven games.
Despite the setback, SBU coach Boyet Fernandez remained confident they can finish their first round campaign on winning note.
“It’s only one loss,” said Fernandez. “We don’t have to put our heads down. We still have to finish the first round.”
Expected to lead the Lions back on the winning track are Robert Bolick, Donald Tankoua and Javee Mocon.
Fernandez, however, said they must learn from their mistakes during their game against Lyceum where they failed to deliver baskets when needed most.
“We fought toe-to-toe, but we failed to make some open shots,” said Fernandez.
Arellano, for its part, hopes the week-long respite will be enough to recover from a 70-62 loss to the College of St. Benilde Blazers.
Backed by Mighty Sports’ Caesar Wongchuking, the Blazers improved to 5-3 in a tie with Letran for fourth to fifth places.
In other matches, St. Benilde and Letran aim to untie themselves from a 5-3 logjam at fourth place when they clash separate opponents.
The Blazers collide with the University of Perpetual Help Altas (5-2) at 2 p.m. while the Knights meet the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals (2-6) at 12 noon.
