Undefeated Lyceum of the Philippines University and San Beda gun for the solo lead as the two face off today in a preview between potential championship contenders in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Pirates have racked up eight straight wins while the Lions have won their first six games and the winner of their 4 p.m. duel will zoom to the top.
Interestingly, LPU swept the double-round eliminations in 18 games last season only to get swept in two games in the finals by San Beda.
There will be little difference between the two squads since that fateful finals encounter as they practically kept the same line up from last year.
“It will be an exciting game for sure,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez.
The match will also feature LPU’s offense and San Beda’s defense, which were best in the league.
The Pirates are No. 1 in scoring with an average of 88.8 points a game while the Lions are the stingiest in points allowed as they held down their foes to a league-high 63.3 points an outing.
CJ Perez has been dishing out MVP-like performances and averaged a league-best 20.1 points while teammate Mike Nzeusseu of Cameroon is at No. 7 with 15.3 points.
LPU coach Topex Robinson, however, said he likes his team’s much-improved defense this year, which has improved to fifth overall.
“It’s still a work in progress but it’s noticeably improving,” said Robinson.
Letran (4-3) and Mapua (2-6) collide in the only other seniors match at 2 p.m.