Lions seek twice-to-beat vs Bombers; Stags, Cards clash

Unbeaten in 13 matches and already assured of a Final Four seat, San Beda guns for an outright twice-to-beat incentive in the semifinal round when it goes up against Jose Rizal University Monday in the resumption of the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan. A win over the Heavy Bombers in the 2 p.m. encounter will not only put the Red Lions two wins away from completing a rare double-round elimination sweep, but it will also get them closer to yet another entry in the championship round. But securing that twice-to-beat incentive is easier said than done, especially against the Heavy Bombers of coach Vergel Meneses. The Mendiola-based squad is favored over its counterpart from Mandaluyong, whom it routed, 68-52, in their first-round match at the Araneta Coliseum on June 26. “Sweep is not our main focus. We want to win as many games as possible, but we will have to do it one game at a time," said San Beda coach Frankie Lim. Last season, San Sebastian posted 15 straight wins, the longest ever winning streak recorded by any team in the country’s oldest collegiate cage league. The Red Lions look capable of matching last season’s feat established by the reigning defending champion Stags, as they have retooled their lineup with rookies Anthony and David Semerad. The team also has reliable holdovers Sudan Daniel, Rome dela Rosa and Garvo Lanete, among others. San Sebastian and Mapua clash in the other game at 4 p.m. with the Cardinals hoping to notch a victory to formally complete the Final Four cast. A victory by the Cardinals will eliminate the Letran Knights from the semifinal race. But winning over the defending champions remains a tall order for coach Chito Victolero and his troop. The Stags easily coasted to a 68-49 triumph over the Cardinals in their first-round encounter. San Sebastian will again pin its hopes on leading Most Valuable Player candidate Calvin Abueva as they also try to bolster their chances of grabbing a twice-to-beat privilege in the next round. - RCJ, GMANews.TV