DEFENDING champion San Beda University aims to carry momentum into the next round when it faces Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) in the crossover round of the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament on Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
San Beda holds a 5-3 win-loss record and needs to win over EAC (3-5) at 3 p.m. to improve its rankings in Group A, as Mapua (5-3) eyes to extend its winning-streak to six when it faces the winless San Sebastian (0-8) at 5 p.m.
The Red Lions gun to bounce back from a tight loss over Arellano University, 55-56, before entering the final four games in the group round.
Aldous Torculas showed out for the Red Lions with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Daniel Marcelo added 10 markers and five rebounds in a hard-fought clash over Arellano.
If San Beda wants to head to the final group stage round with a victory, the team needs more help from Jomel Puno and RC Calming as EAC would not back down the fight quickly.
The Generals scored a huge victory over the Benilde Blazers, 86-78, showing that they are also tough contenders in Group B.
EAC relied on Joseph Nunag’s 17-point scoring and Wilmar Oftana’s 15-point effort.
Head coach Jerson Cabiles expressed that they preferred being underdogs and understood that they needed to double up their efforts to reach their goal.
“Scoring a win over Benilde, of course, we are the underdogs, and it’s a good win. It’s about the drive and the hard work of the players. And we will continue working towards our goal,” the head tactician in Filipino.
With both teams playing their last game in the crossover round, the NCAA format showed that they will return to the group stage, facing their bracket opponents once more.
The top two teams will enjoy a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals, while the middle team (slated at third seed), needs to win twice in the quarterfinals to keep their chances alive.
The two bottom teams will head to the play-in round.
After their clash, Mapua University looks to overpower the only remaining winless team in the NCAA, San Sebastian.
Mapua holds a five-game winning streak, with Cyrus Cuenco firing from all cylinders and serving as the anchor of the team.
San Sebastian is still looking for the light at the end of the tunnel, and looks to bank on Ralph Gabat, who put up a fight in a slim 77-78 loss against Lyceum of the Philippines University.
