Unbeaten Red Lions, Stags out to fan win drive

MANILA, Philippines - San Sebastian and San Beda try to sustain their win run as they take Emilio Aguinaldo College and Mapua, respectively, at resumption of NCAA men’s basketball action at The Arena in San Juan City today.

The Stags, the defending champions, and the Lions, the former three-peat titlists, hurdled their first two assignments in varying fashions with both teams again tipped to sail past their rivals.

Spearheaded by Calvin Abueva, SSC turned back Perpetual Help, 73-69, while San Beda routed EAC, 97-55, last Friday.

“After two games where we almost lost, I hope we learned our lesson because all teams have improved and prepared well against us,” said SSC coach Ato Agustin.

The Stags battle the Generals at 4 p.m.

The Lions, meanwhile, are expected to face stiff challenge from the Cardinals although they are expected to ride on the crest on a pair of lopsided victories, including a 68-52 lacing of the Jose Rizal Bombers.

The Cardinals are in joint third with a 1-0 card with the St. Benilde Blazers after blasting the Perpetual Help Altas, 79-65, in a game that saw the ejection of Ray Cabrera and Narr Garay following a bench-clearing incident.

Cabrera and Garay, however, were spared of a one-game suspension and will be suiting for the team in their 2 p.m. game.

“We’ve seen they’re capable of so we have to keep the focus,” said SBC coach Frankie Lim.