RIDING the momentum of a five-game winning streak, San Sebastian College coach Egay Macaraya is hoping his charges can maintain their fiery form and advance to the Final Four.
“Our first goal is to make it to the Final Four so I hope everybody is healthy and we could do the same intensity in playing defense and offense para at least ma-sustain iyong layo ng laro namin dahil mayroon pa kaming eight games,” said Macaraya.
“Hopefully, sa eight games, medyo maganda pa rin ang itakbo namin,” he added.
Weather-permitting, the Golden Stags try to stretch their winning run to six and gain a share of second when they square off with the Perpetual Help Altas today in the 95th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
The match is set at noon before Mapua University battles slumping College of St. Benilde at 2 o’clock. Clashing at 4 p.m. are Jose Rizal University and Arellano University.
San Sebastian will go into the game armed with an 83-67 victory over CSB last Sept. 12.
The Stags whipped the Altas 107-90 in their first meeting last Aug. 23.
Allyn Bulanadi, RK Ilagan, Alvin Capobres, JM Calma, and Kenneth Villapando are expected to lead the way for San Sebastian anew in its bid to improve its 7-3 card and tie idle Lyceum.
Perpetual is out to bounce back from a 74-89 loss to Lyceum also last Sept. 12 and improve its 3-7 record.
The Altas will bank on Edgar Charcos, Ben Adamos, Rey Peralta, and Jielo Razon.
The Cardinals scored a thrilling 105-101 decision over the Letran Knights in double overtime last Sept. 13 to go up to 4-6.
Laurenz Victoria, Noah Lugo, Warren Bonifacio, Cyril Gonzales, and Paolo Hernandez will be counted upon by Mapua as it aims to atone for its sorry 67-71 defeat to CSB in their initial encounter last July 25.
With a 6-4 slate, the Blazers have lost four of their last five, and will rely on Justin Gutang, Yankie Haruna, Robi Nayve, Unique Naboa, and 6-foot-7 Cameroonian import Clement Leutcheu.
