Lions, Knights try to stay on top

Games Thursday

(The Arena, San Juan)

10 a.m. – St. Benilde vs Letran (Jrs)

12 p.m. – Perpetual Help vs San Beda (Jrs)

2 p.m. – St. Benilde vs Letran (Srs)

4 p.m. – Perpetual vs San Beda (Srs)

MANILA, Philippines – San Beda and Letran seek to keep their stranglehold of the lead as the two clash with Perpetual Help and College of St. Benilde, respectively, on Thursday in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Arthur dela Cruz is expected to come in confident after dropping a triple-double performance with 26 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in an 83-75 win over the Jose Rizal Bombers last week when the Lions clash with the Altas at 4 p.m.

The Knights, coming off a 26-point performance by Mark Cruz in a 74-57 win Friday, likewise shoot for a win that will keep it in step with the reigning five-peat champions whom the former is currently tied with 10-2 (win-loss) records.

San Beda though will play a Perpetual Help team expecting the return of Nigerian scoring machine Bright Akhuetie from a minor shoulder injury he sustained in a 70-42 bashing of Lyceum on Sept. 1.

"He'll play," said a team insider.

In the absence of Akhuetie, Perpetual Help struggled and fell to Arellano, 77-84, in overtime last week.

With Akhuetie, Perpetual Help will get a league-best 21 points, 12.10 rebounds (third) and 2.20 steals (fourth) a game.

For the Lions, they got a big boost from the return of Baser Amer from a dislocated shoulder last game.

Amer, their team captain, was scoreless in his first game since missing eight games but had five assists and four rebounds and provided the leadership.

"He has demeanor, leadership and winning attitude, you can't coach that," said San Beda coach Jamike Jarin of Amer.