NCAA: Streaking Lions not taking Altas lightly

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter
(Editor’s note: With the suspension of classes in all levels in the City of Manila because of Typhoon Ompong, the National Collegiate Athletic Association management committee decided to cancel league basketball games scheduled for Friday, Sept. 14. The cancellation of games was officially made Thursday night by Francisco Gusi, Jr., Mancom and Event Chairman.)
THEIR opponents today may be on a down swing at the moment but reigning National Collegiate Athletic Association champions San Beda Red Lions are not taking Season 94 hosts Perpetual Help Altas lightly in their scheduled game today, believing the latter have what it takes to rise up anytime and give them a hard time.
Set to play at 2 p.m. today at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City, San Beda said it is going to be all business when it collides with Perpetual Help, which has lost three straight matches after winning five of its first seven games.
“I’ve said this before, Perpetual is a strong team and they have a very good coach in Frankie Lim. It will be a tough one again on Friday for us,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez after their 74-68 victory over the Letran Knights on Sept. 11.
“It’s a hell of a two weeks for us. We play four games in that stretch. But we won’t be using it as a reason not to play hard. Prince Eze has been playing well for Perpetual. I don’t know if [Edgar] Charcos will play. But we will find a way to prepare for Perpetual and be ready because I know Coach Frankie [Lim] has something off his sleeves,” Mr. Fernandez added.
Against Letran on Tuesday, the Lions labored anew, nearly losing a big lead in the fourth quarter, which left Mr. Fernandez fuming after.
“While we won I’m not happy with how we finished. I’m pissed off. Had we lost I would take the blame as I gave chance for everybody to play yet some players did not rise up to the challenge. They thought with the big lead it was already over. Hopefully this serves as a lesson to our players that it is not over till the final buzzer,” Mr. Fernandez said.
Donald Tankoua led the Lions with 19 points and nine rebounds while Robert Bolick had 13 points in a foul-laden outing.
Javee Mocon finished with a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds for San Beda (11-1), which despite a win was also made to sweat by the Knights in the first round, 80-76, in overtime.
Perpetual Help, for its part, looks to wiggle out of its slump, with its most recent loss coming at the hands of the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 91-86, on Sept. 6.
Eze had a career-high 36 points but it was not enough to tow his team to victory.
Guard Charcos missed his third straight game due to knee injury, something Perpetual Help is seemingly having a hard time adjusting to.
Currently with a 5-5 record, the Altas are at fifth place in the standings midway into the tournament.
Other games today will see the Arellano Chiefs (4-6) against San Sebastian Stags (3-9) at 12 noon and Letran (7-4) versus St. Benilde (7-4) at 4 p.m.