San Beda University aims to stretch its streak to six, while Emilio Aguinaldo College hopes to halt a five-game losing slump as the two collide today in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Lions downed their archrivals, the Letran Knights, 74-68, on Sept. 11 that sealed them their fifth straight win and 11th in 12 outings. They will aim for another win in their 4 p.m. duel with the Generals, who have lost five straight to slide to 2-9 (win-loss).
The defending champions are currently one game behind the Pirates, who lead the league with a perfect 12-0 record and should inch closer by half a game with a win.
San Beda will come into its game versus EAC as the favorite having smashed the latter, 61-46, in the first round on July 31.
Cameroonian Donald Tankoua will try to ride the crest of his 19-point performance in a win over Letran that earned him the nod from the NCAA Press Corps as its Chooks-to-Go Player of the Week.
San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez, however, wasn’t surprised on the effort of Tankoua, who has averaged 12.8 points and 9.2 rebounds an outing.
“Since the first day, Donald has been doing what we’ve expected him, which is to score inside, rebound and defend,” said Fernandez.
In the other game, San Sebastian eyes a third straight victory and fourth overall against nine setbacks as it faces off with Jose Rizal, which is currently at 10th and dead last with a 2-10 card, at 2 p.m.
The Stags survived College of St. Benilde Blazers, 66-65, on Sept. 11 to claim their first streak of the season.
Michael Calisaan led the team in that win as he unloaded 18 points, including the free throw that sealed the deal.
