Basketball
Six-man San Beda squad opens NCAA title defense bid vs Arellano
InterAKTV file photo/Justin Gener
Games Sunday
(FilOil Flying V Arena)
12 noon — Arellano vs. San Beda (Jrs)
2:00 p.m. — Arellano vs. San Beda (Srs)
4:00 p.m. — San Sebastian vs Letran (Jrs)
6:00 p.m. — JRU vs Mapua (Jrs)
After sanctions meted by the league, the San Beda Red Lions are down to just six men when they open their title retention bid against Arellano University Sunday in the 88th NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
Newly-installed San Beda coach Ronnie Magsanoc has no choice but to rely on his “Super Six” of Francis Abarcar, Ritchie Villaruz, Jun Bonsubre, Yvan Ludovice, Art Dela Cruz and Dave Moralde in his first game at the helm of the Red Lions.
Baser Amer, Anjo Caram, Rome Dela Rosa, Ryusei Koga, Melo Lim, Jaypee Mendoza, Jake Pascual, Kyle Pascual and Michole Sorela all have to sit out one game as part of their suspension for their involvement in a brawl during a league volleyball game last October.
Nigerian center Ola Adeogun was handed a four-game ban, which was reduced from the original six-game suspension.
“The day before the game, silang anim nalang ang pinag-practice ko para masanay sila for Sunday,” said the PBA’s “Point Laureate” of his six available players. “I told them na basta dala nyo ang fighting hearts nyo, lalaban tayo.”
In the curtain raiser, defending champion San Beda Red Cubs opens its bid to retain the crown when it takes on the Arellano Braves at noon. The rebuilding San Sebastian Staglets meet the Letran Squires at 4 p.m. followed by the match between the JRU Light Bombers and the Mapua Red Robins at 6 p.m.
