Lyceum of the Philippines University guns for win No. 10 as it tackles a San Sebastian team that is trying to pick up the pieces of its sorry first round effort at the start of the second round of eliminations of the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City today.
Drawing strength from another MVP effort of CJ Perez, the Pirates have swept the first round in nine games for the second straight season and should carry the momentum into the second round when they face the Stags at 2 p.m.
LPU had a hard time before edging a stubborn San Sebastian, 85-80, in the opener on July 7 at the MOA Arena in Pasay City and expect things to get tougher with the latter back in full force with the return of RK Ilagan.
Ilagan is back after serving a three-game suspension slapped by the team for playing in other leagues early in the season.
It also led to the league forfeiting the Stags’ two wins against the Jose Rizal Bombers and the St. Benilde Blazers that sent the former crashing to the bottom of the standings with a 1-8 (win-loss) slate.
And LPU coach Topex Robinson knows what to expect.
“San Sebastian is always a tough opponent, complete or not. We just have to always be prepared,” said Robinson.
San Beda, meanwhile, is currently at second with an 8-1 record and will try to keep close to LPU as it takes on JRU (2-7) at 4 p.m.
The Lions demolished the Bombers, 77-40, on Aug. 28 and should be heavily favored to repeat.
