Games Today
(The Arena, San Juan)
12 nn. – LPU vs Arellano (srs)
2 p.m. – San Beda vs Jose Rizal (srs)
4 p.m. – Perpetual vs Letran (srs)
San Beda shoots for a playoff for a Final Four spot as it tackles first round nemesis Jose Rizal even as Perpetual Help and Arellano U seek to catch up on it today in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Lions couldn’t cash in on their opportunity to clinch it Friday when they were beaten by the Mapua Cardin als, 97-101, in overtime but whille a golden opportunity to snare it this time when they square off with the Bombers at 2 p.m.
It will not be a walk in the park though as Jose Rizal beat San Beda, 79-73, in their first round meeting on Aug. 9.
It will not make it easier for the Lions that they will be without Donald Tankoua for the fifth straight game after the Cameroonian banger suffered a season-ending right ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury last month.
Also, San Beda has dropped two of its last four games minus Tankoua.
“We have to step up as a team not just rely on one, two or three players,” said San Beda coach Jamike Jarin.
The Bombers are expected to unleash Abdel Poutouochi and AbdulRazak AbdulWahab hoping to pounce on that gaping San Beda hole inside.
“San Beda is still a strong team but we’ll try to take advantage of that hole inside,” said Jose Rizal mentor Vergel Meneses.
Perpetual Help and Arellano U, which are tied at second with identical 10-3 records, aim to stay close with San Beda as the two tackle Lyceum of the Phl U (5-9) at 12 noon and defending champion Letran (7-7) at 4 p.m.
