THE defending champions San Beda Red Lions go for their third win in as many games in Season 94 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in league action set for today at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Out on a good start to the tournament once again, Mendiola-based San Beda looks to add the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals to the list of teams it has preyed on in the ongoing tournament when they collide in the 4 p.m. game.
Preceding the match is the battle between the College of St. Benilde Blazers (1-2) and Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers (0-4) at 12 noon and that between the Arellano Chiefs (2-1) and Mapua Cardinals (1-2) at 2 p.m.
The Lions enter the contest off a narrow 75-69 win over St. Benilde last week, and are now eyeing on building on it as their three-peat bid takes further root.
While EAC is struggling off the starting gates with a 0-3 record, San Beda is mindful not to take the Generals too lightly, more so with a player like Cameroonian Hamadou Laminou on EAC’s side.
“They have a tall and strong import and they have some key pieces who could beat any team so there is no reason to expect an easy game,” said Lions coach Boyet Fernandez.
San Beda will also try to ride on the splendid play to date of floor general Robert Bolick, who has averaged a career-best 20 points a game including a career-high 25-point effort against the Blazers last time around.
Looking to derail the Lions in their push are the Generals, who have yet to barge into the win column.
EAC’s latest loss came on July 26 at the hands of the Perpetual Help Altas, 76-74, at the Generals’ home in Taft.
Meanwhile, reigning league most valuable player CJ Perez of league-leading Lyceum Pirates was the recipient of the player of the week honors.
Perez fired a career-high 31 points to anchor the Pirates’ come-from-behind 82-65 win over Arellano on July 24, wherein they overcame an early 16-point deficit.
He then flirted with a triple-double, tallying 19 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists three days later in a 94-81 victory at the expense of Mapua.
In two games last week, Perez put up averages of 25 markers, 7.5 boards, seven dimes, and four steals in 33 minutes of action.
In winning the weekly plum, Perez bested Bolick, Prince Eze of Perpetual, Levi Dela Cruz of Arellano and fellow Pirate Mike Nzeusseu. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
