Red-hot San Beda seeks 5th straight win vs Perps

DEFENDING champion San Beda University looks to extend its winning streak to five games when it faces University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in the NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball tournament on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Center in San Juan City. Tip-off is at 5 p.m. San Beda is coming off a hard-earned 74-65 overtime victory over rival Letran College on Oct. 5. Head coach Yuri Escueta will continue to rely on a core led by Jomel Puno, Andrei Ugaddan, Lawrence Hawkins, Aldous Torculas, RC Calimag, Bismarck Lina and Jimuel Reyes. In contrast, Perpetual Help aims to snap a two-game skid following back-to-back losses to Arellano University and College of St. Benilde. “We need more players to step up, consistency, execution of our set plays and good defense,” said Altas head coach Olsen Racela. Racela will lean on Mark Gojo Cruz, LA Casinillo, Ray Allen Maglupay, Gelo Gelsano, JM Tulabut, Shawn Orgo, Kenji Duremdes, Aries Borja, Jan Roluna, alongside rookies Jim Corpuz and Kurt Velasquez, to turn things around. In the juniors division, the Junior Altas aim for their fifth straight win when they face the San Beda Red Cubs at 12 p.m. “After our last game against La Salle Greenhills, we practiced well for this matchup,”...