2 Undefeated Teams Clash for Top Spot; Knights, Heavy Bombers Collide

DEFENDING champion San Beda College wants to stay perfect in a bid to duplicate last year's flawless campaign, but expect San Sebastian College to try to spoil the party as the two unbeaten teams clash for the first time in the 87th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Red Lions and the Stags, who both carry clean 8-0 cards, clash in the very last game at 4 p.m. in the first round of eliminations, as both teams gun for the solo lead and the bragging rights that go with it.

And while the Stags have the personnel and the determination to prevail in today's match, the burden is heavier for the Red Lions, who will try to prove that they're still the best team among their peers, with or without a foreign player in their roster.

Needless to say, San Beda coach Frankie Lim had vowed to rally his Red Lions to win at all cost today.

“All games are important to us. Ayaw naming matalo. We want to win all games as much as possible,” said Lim.

So far, San Beda had won a total of 26 straight games dating back from last season, where they swept the eliminations and the championship series against the Stags.

The Red Lions are also coming off a nine-day rest, which could be both a blessing and a boon. Still, expect San Beda to quickly shake off the rust and come out smoking.

Top gun Garvo Lanete (18 points, 5.4 boards) who will be a marked man from the opening tip, will again backstop San Beda's offensive, with main support coming from Rome de la Rosa (10.1 points), Dave Marcelo (9.9 points, 8.6 rebounds) and Kyle Pascual (8.6 points, 5.8 rebounds).

The Stags, who picked up their eighth straight win via a 71-66 win over the Mapua Cardinals nine days ago, are just as lethal with their Big Three of Calvin Abueva (20.6 points, 12.1 rebounds) Ronald Pascual (18.6 points) and Ian Sangalang (17.5 points, 10. 4 rebs).

But San Sebastian coach Topex Robinson said for the Stags to prevail over the Lions, his boys need to execute well and limit their turnovers.

. “It’s more of just the guys maturing enough, understanding when to recognize to give a good pass or when to drive. They’re just so pumped into the game. We have to be more disciplined in our execution,” said Robinson of his Stags, who had posted a disturbing 22.1 turnover average. They had 21 miscues against the Cards but were just too good to lose.

In the other seniors game set at 2 p.m., Letran (6-2) shoots for win no. 7 against the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers (4-5).