San Beda takes a bite of slumping CSB Blazers for seventh straight; Golden Stags continues its onslaught over the Chiefs

Last year’s finals protagonists San Sebastian and San Beda try to keep their unblemished slate as the two take on Arellano U and St. Benilde, respectively, tomorrow in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Stags, seeking their second championship after sweeping the Lions last year, staved off a potential defeat by edging the St. Benilde Blazers, 75-74, two weeks back to notch their sixth straight victory and keep their stranglehold on top.

The Lions, for their part, bucked a faulty start by unleashing a 65-point splurge in the second half to outclass the Arellano U Chiefs, 92-57, Wednesday to seize a share of the lead.

A win today—their seventh—would keep their lofty perch as well as build up their confidence going into their much-awaited confrontation on Aug. 18.

“Honestly, we’re not yet thinking of the San Beda game because we want to concentrate on preparing for one opponent at a time,” said San Sebastian coach Ato Agustin.

“We needed as many big wins as possible because we want to gain and build our confidence before we faces San Sebastian,” said San Beda mentor Frankie Lim.

Both the Chiefs and the Blazers are expected to go all out for a win hoping for a giant-sized win over their fancied opponents that would sure get them back on track.

Arellano is currently bunched with Letran and resurgent Emilio Aguinaldo at fifth spot on 2-4 (win-loss) slates while CSB is currently second to the last with a 1-5 card.

San Beda is expected to play the sweet-shooting Garvo Lanete today after he sat out to rest a foot he sprained in practice more than a week back.

“He’s now okay, he will play tomorrow. We just chose to rest him to make the injury heal well and fully,” said Lim referring to the prolific Lanete.