BY ABBY TORALBA
LYCEUM tackles Jose Rizal University today, with both teams seeking to halt a two-game slump, while San Beda and University and Perpetual Help try to ride the momentum of their recent triumphs in the 99th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
The Pirates and Bombers have dropped their last two assignments and reeled off to second and a share of fourth with 6-2 and 4-3 records, respectively. But only one would get to accomplish that after their duel set at 4 p.m.
It will be a different case for the Altas and the Lions, both coming off rousing triumphs, with the former on a two-game winning skein capped by a 74-59 demolition of winless defending three-time champion Letran last Sunday and the latter still in cloud nine after a 74-70 squeaker over the Bombers three days back.
The wins sent Perpetual to a 3-4 record and San Beda to No. 4 alongside JRU, Emilio Aguinaldo College, and College of St. Benilde with 4-3 slates.
The Altas are expected to rely on the three-point shooting duo of Jun Roque and Jelo Razon, who starred in their most recent win after sinking a combined 10 triples–all in the critical stretch in the second half.
It will also be interesting if Roque could sustain his best outing this season when he posted 22 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and the same number of steals and blocks with just a single turnover.
“Hopefully, Roque could continue hitting shots for us,” Perpetual coach Myk Saguiguit said of his talented wingman.
San Beda coach Yuri Escueta will return from one-game suspension. Escueta was meted the ban after his ejection in a 67-62 defeat to Lyceum last Oct. 8.
