IF limiting an opponent to less than 50 points is not enough, what would satisfy Boyet Fernandez?
A San Beda team coming off a 57-49 shackling of Jose Rizal University has been told by its coach to improve its defense when they face Mapua on Friday in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
“Our press and zone (defenses) are still areas we need to check,” Fernandez said watching the Red Lions hold the Heavy Bombers to 32-percent shooting in their season debut.
After finishing on opposite poles of the standings last year, the Lions remain heavy favorites over the Cardinals, who suffered a 57-91 thrashing at the hands of University of Perpetual Help last Monday.
A victory in their 2 p.m. encounter would gain for the defending champion Lions a share of the lead with San Sebastian, which is making an impression following two successive wins.
The Lions, who have owned the lofty tag as the league’s best defensive team for a while now, have one thing less to worry about in Josan Nimes, the high-scoring guard who was a late scratch this season due to a knee injury.
But Fernandez, who has a surplus of talent at his disposal, led by Ola Adeogun, Art dela Cruz, and Baser Amer, is careful not to take the Cardinals lightly.
“They lost Nimes, but they’re still a strong team with coach Atoy (Co) there,” the Lions coach said of last year’s cellar-dwellers, who are bannered by Joseph Eriobu, Andoy Estrella.
Letran seeks to recover from an 83-85 setback against the Stags on opening day as it takes on Lyceum, which also lost its opening match, an 80-93 decision to Arellano, earlier at 12 noon.
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