BY ABBY TORALBA
LYCEUM eyes a share of the lead when it faces red-hot College of St. Benilde today in a crucial duel in the 99th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
The Pirates cross paths with the Blazers at 1:30 p.m. before San Beda University battles Perpetual Help at 4 o’clock.
“Sunod-sunod ang laban, mabigat talaga iyong schedule namin,” CSB coach Charles Tiu said. “Lyceum has been playing so well all season long so sana we find a way to slow them down.”
The Blazers edged the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers 84-81 last Tuesday and hiked their mark to 9-4 for third.
Lyceum subdued also-ran defending three-time champion Letran 85-79 six days ago that raised their card to 10-3, just a win behind pacesetting Mapua University.
Reigning MVP Will Gozum, Migs Oczon and Miggy Corteza are expected to lead the charge for CSB.
The Pirates will lean on Enoch Valdez, Mclaude Guadana and Shawn Umali.
The Red Lions whipped the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals 81-71 last Sunday, thanks largely to Jacob Cortez, James Payosing, and Clifford Jopia who are expected to shine anew against the Altas.
Perpetual downed Arellano University 81-74 last Tuesday and improved to 6-7.
