Games Today (San Juan Arena)
10 a.m. — EAC vs Perpetual (jrs)
12 nn. — San Sebastian vs San Beda (jrs)
2 p.m. — EAC vs Perpetual (srs)
4 p.m. –San Sebastian vs San Beda (srs)
WITH at least six teams figuring in a tight race for the Final Four, the San Beda Red Lions hope to maximize their strength by making full use of their deep bench in the final stretch of the 91st National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
San Beda coach Mike Jarin said they will start digging deep beginning in their 4 p.m. game today against the San Sebastian Stags at the San Juan Arena.
“We had combinations which the players were not used to. Like a guard playing a forward, and 2 players acting like a 5. I take responsibility in our loss of the lead in our last game. But we need to give everybody exposure coming into the playoffs. Last push na ito,” said Jarin.
If the Red Lions get past the Stags, they will pull two games ahead of Letran and grab a firmer grip on the solo lead at 12-3 (win-loss) card, which would give them a good head-start in the race for the Top 2 spots in the semifinals.
Last Thursday, the Red Lions roared past the Lyceum Pirates, 87-80, but not after losing an 18-point halftime lead. That game saw Jarin experiment with combinations, as he gave his second stringers playing time to build their confidence.
That same day, the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers ambushed the Letran Knights, 86-80, giving the Red Lions the solo lead.