San Beda, Lyceum will focus on gaining semis advantage

Defending champion San Beda and Lyceum shoot for twice-to-beat semifinal incentives when they collide with separate opponents today in NCAA men’s basketball at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Red Lions also seek to preserve their hold of the top spot in their 4 p.m. confrontation with the Arellano U Chiefs, while the Pirates square off with the College of St. Benilde Blazers at 2 p.m.

Sporting a 14-1 win-loss record, San Beda showed no signs of letting up as it boasts of an eight-game winning streak that includes a 77-55 triumph over St. Benilde a week ago.

San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez will continue to rely on veteran Robert Bolick who finished with 19 points against the Blazers, as well as JV Mocon and Donald Tankoua.

Arellano, meanwhile, looks for a graceful exit and to better its 4-10 card. The Chiefs also eye retribution after a 98-79 loss to the Red Lions in their first meeting.

In the other pairing, Lyceum tries to move on from a heartbreaking 80-79 loss to Letran last Friday that dropped them to 14-2 at second place.

“I told my players that we will not be defined as a team just because we lost to a better team that afternoon,” said Lyceum coach Topex Robinson. “We will be defined by how we’re gonna finish this season and the season after.”

Robinson will bank on CJ Perez, Mike Nzesseu and JC Marcelino against a dangerous St. Benilde squad, which remains in contention for the remaining Final Four berth with its 8-7 mark.