Lions stake perfect record in showdown with Cardinals

Games Thursday

10 a.m. – Jose Rizal vs Letran (Jrs)

12 p.m. – San Beda vs Mapua (Jrs)

2 p.m. – Jose Rizal vs Letran (Srs)

4 p.m. – San Beda vs Mapua (Srs)

MANILA, Philippines – San Beda seeks to keep its stranglehold of the lead while Mapua aims to grab a share of it as the two collide Thursday in what could be a sneak preview to the finals of the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Lions came back from 22 points down to down the Arellano U Chiefs, 101-86, last Friday and stretched their unbeaten run to seven and another victory in their 4 p.m. encounter with the Cardinals would ensure the former stay undefeated.

Davon Potts and Donald Tankoua will be the players to watch out for after teaming up in San Beda's defining win over Arellano. The former exploded for his NCAA-best 31 points, including 11 in the pivotal run in the fourth quarter, and the latter muscling his way to 28 points, 14 boards and two blocks.

"It was a team effort but I got to give credit to them for playing that way consistently," said San Beda coach Jamike Jarin of Potts and Tankoua.

Tankoua and the Lions will be heavily tested as they face a Mapua squad headed by reigning MVP Allwell Oraeme, who has averaged 17 points and league-highs 19.2 rebounds and 3.2 blocks.

Oraeme was at his best again after he dropped 13 points, 22 caroms, five assists and five blocks in an 88-75 rout of San Sebastian also Friday and will be determined to help the Cardinals, currently possessing a 5-1 (win-loss) record, catch up with the Lions.

"Allwell Oraeme isn't the MVP for nothing. We can't stop him but we'll do our best to slow him down." said Jarin.

Meanwhile, reigning champion Letran shoots to come out of a three-way logjam at No. 3 with Arellano U and Perpetual Help with identical 4-2 slates as it tackles an unpredictable Jose Rizal at 2 p.m.

The Knights were still reeling from a heartbreaking 55-61 loss to the Altas Friday and will try to avoid their first losing streak of the season against the Bombers, who edged the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals by the skin of their teeth, 60-59, last week.

Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses, whose charges are at No. 7 with a 2-3 card, remained unimpressed.

"We're still not in the level of the top four teams, we need to wake up," said Meneses.