SAN BEDA University tries to reaffirm its mastery over Jose Rizal University with the Red Lions going for their 12th straight win in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament on Thursday at The Arena in San Juan City.
Though they have beaten the Bombers in the first round, SBU coach Boyet Fernandez wants his wards to play smart and hard in their 2 p.m. showdown.
“We have to play better as a team because we know they’ll try to come out strong, and it’ll be tougher facing them again,” said Fernandez, whose team handed JRU a 74-52 defeat last July 12.
In San Beda’s previous game against Arellano University last Friday, Calvin Oftana and Evan Nelle – the two leading MVP contenders in the NCAA – struggled offensively.
Thanks to center Donald Tankoua’s 20-point and nine-rebound performance, the Lions came through with a 73-66 victory over the Chiefs.
Fernandez said he expects the same energy and sharpness from Tankoua, and hopefully others will also step up.
“Without him (Tankoua), we could have lost that game,” said Fernandez.
“Hopefully that it’s a wake-up call for us. I mentioned to my players that it’ll be difficult playing teams in the second round, and our game against Arellano was a testament to that that it’s hard.”
The Bombers snapped a three-game skid with a 69-63 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College to improve to 4-7.
Meantime, struggling teams University of Perpetual Help System DALTA and Arellano University clash in the day’s other game at 4 p.m. with the Altas and the Chiefs determined to improve their respective 3-7 and 2-9 cards. (Waylon Galvez)
