Games Today (The Arena, San Juan City)
9 a.m. – Letran vs Perpetual (jrs)
10:45 a.m. – San Sebastian vs San Beda (jrs)
12:30 p.m. – CSB-LSGH vs JRU (jrs)
2:15 p.m. – EAC vs Mapua (jrs)
4 p.m. – Lyceum vs Arellano (jrs)
By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Arellano tries to pull away from the rest of the field when it shoots for its seventh straight win today in NCAA juniors basketball at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Braves collide with the Lyceum Junior Pirates at 4 p.m., staking their unblemished record.
Runnerup to defending champion San Beda, Arellano hopes to keep its momentum going to strengthen its title bid this season.
But winning against Lyceum will not be a walk in the park as the Junior Pirates are itching to untangle themselves from a four-way logjam in the middle standings with their 3-3 win-loss record.
The Braves are expected to lean on their strong offense with a 92.3-point average per game behind spitfire Guilmer Dela Torre.
Dela Torre currently averages 18.5 points a game highlighted by a 30-point output in the team’s 76-61 triumph over San Sebastian 11 days ago.
Also providing offensive strength are Lars Sunga and Aaron Fermin.
Lyceum, meanwhile, won’t get intimidated with Mclaude Guadana spearheading the squad along with Makki Santos and Vincent Cunanan, who all average in double figures.
The Junior Pirates, who finished fifth last year, are expected to beef up their assault to keep them on track of their own title campaign.
Meanwhile, San Beda aims to keep itself close to Arellano and as it eye its sixth consecutive triumph in its 10:45 a.m. meeting with San Sebastian.
Though touted as a David-versus-Goliath matchup with the Staglets occupying the bottom standings, the Red Cubs are wary of their rivals who are hungry to end their six-game losing skid.
In other matches, Letran (3-3) clash with University of Perpetual Help (3-3) at 9 a.m., CSB-La Salle Greenhills (3-3) tangle with Jose Rizal University (2-4) at 12:30 p.m., and Emilio Aguinaldo College (0-6) tackle Mapua-Malayan (4-1) at 2:15 p.m.