Three-peat beckons tired Lions today

Pressure will be on San Beda, which tries to make it two-in-a-row against Jose Rizal University today for a third straight championship in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

Stamina will also be one of the San Beda’s concerns as the rigors of playing their fourth game in eight days may finally take their toll on the Red Lions.

But SBC coach Frankie Lim is unfazed, saying the Red Lions are ready and raring to finish off the Heavy Bombers in their 4 p.m. encounter.

“When I took the job, the pressure starts,” said Lim. “Everybody is under pressure, until one wins, the pressure and the tension will remain there.”

“We’re here so we need to give everything, tired and all. We can’t use fatigue as an excuse,” said Lim.

Despite Game One loss, Jose Rizal remains optimistic of its chances for a first crown in 36 years.

“We missed some free throws in the fourth quarter and it could have been ours,” said Ariel Vanguardia, referring to the Bombers seven flubbed charities in the fourth quarter. “They played well, we just have to keep believing that we could win.”

“We will not give up, we promise you that we will not give up,” he said.

Displaying championship poise, the Lions turned back a spirited fightback by Jose Rizal and pulled off a 72-68 victory last Monday to seize a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three duel.

Sam Ekwe, the newly crowned MVP, will again be the player to watch for San Beda after flashing his old form in the Game One with a 13-point, 16-rebound production.

Pong Escobal, Borgie Hermida, Jake Pascual and Ogie Menor are also expected to step up the way he did in the series opener where they combined for 43 points.