Altas vow to settle old score with Lions

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda and Perpetual Help clash in a grudge match today with the Red Lions out to re-assert their mastery over an Altas side raring to end its losing run to the defending five-peat champions.

That makes the 4 p.m. duel worth watching, with the winner seizing solo second at 5-1 behind Letran’s 5-0 record halfway through the first round of the 91st NCAA men’s basketball elims at The Arena in San Juan. Also toting a 4-1 card is Arellano U.

“We’re getting tired of losing to them, hopefully this year it will be our turn,” said Perpetual Help coach Aric del Rosario, who will again bank on the Earl Scottie Thompson-Bright Akhuetie duo.

But while reigning MVP Thompson is expected to sustain his impressive norms of 15.60 points, 11.60 rebounds and 8.60 assists en route to a pair of triple-double games in the first five games, Akhuetie will be hard-pressed to atone for his mediocre seven-point, six-rebound performance in their 71-79 loss to the streaking Knights last Thursday.

Akhuetie, who averaged a league-high 25 points and a league second-best 15 boards before turning cold against Letran, will have his hands full against Ola Adeogun, who dropped 25 points and hauled down 13 rebounds – both season best – in a 73-67 win over St. Benilde.

“It’s not about me, it’s about the team winning,” said the 18-year-old Akhuetie.

San Beda, for its part, has bounced back from a humiliating 80-93 setback to Letran by winning its next two games, including a 97-74 rout of Lyceum on July 21.

But SBC Jamike Jarin’s charges will continue to play minus injured team captain Baser Amer.