Games today (Filoil EcoOil Centre)
12 noon – SSC-R vs Arellano
3 p.m. – San Beda vs EAC
The Arellano University Chiefs are coping with the absence of big man Justin Arana and will go for their second straight win when they battle the San Sebastian Stags at 12 noon today in the 98th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Chiefs are now learning how to play at a faster pace, with a smaller roster this time around and a veteran playmaker at the helm.
Arana has been drafted by the Converge Fiber Xers in the Philippine Basketball Association.
“We’ve adjusted in the absence of Arana. Luckily, these guys are rebounding,” said Chiefs’ coach Cholo Martin after their 63-58 win over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals on opening day Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum. In the game against the Generals, they leaned on the big plays of veteran guard Shane Menina, who has returned to the league in Metro Manila after a long absence.
After a successful high school career with the University of Cebu, Menina has been drifting from one varsity team to another. He played for National University in Manila, before returning to University of Cebu in 2019, leading the squad to the semifinals of Cebu’s intercollegiate league.
“Alam naman natin yung laro niya eh. And ‘yung timing and ‘yung adjustment niya sa team niya, said Martin.
The Stags will banner promising Ichie Altamirano in their coming game. Meanwhile, the San Beda Red Lions and the EAC Generals will seek to bounce back from their opening day losses in their 3 p.m. game.
The Red Lions, with coach Yuri Escueta calling the shots, lost their first season-opener since 2005, a 55-65 defeat to Mapua last Saturday.
