San Beda, Perpetual Help clash in NCAA

Defending champion San Beda Red Lions aim for their fifth straight victrory when they face the Perpetual Help Altas in the NCAA Season 102 men's basketball tournament on Thursday, Oct. 8, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.  Game time is 5 p.m.  While San Beda seeks to extend its winning run, Perpetual Help will try to avoid its third straight setback after losing back-to-back games against Arellano University and College of St. Benilde.  “We need more players to step up and consistency, and execution of plays we have set, good defense,” said Altas head coach Olsen Racela. Coach Yuri Escueta and his Red Lions, on the other hand, are fresh from a hard-earned 74-65 overtime win over Letran College last Oct. 5.  Escueta will continue to lean on Jomel Puno, Andrei Ugaddan, Lawrence Hawkins, Aldous Torculas, RC Calimag, Bismarck Lina and Jimuel Reyes. Racela, meanwhile, will rely on Mark Gojo Cruz, LA Casinillo, Ray Allen Maglupay, Gelo Gelsano, JM Tulabut, Shawn Orgo, Kenji Duremdes, Aries Borja, Jan Roluna and rookies Jim Corpuz and Kurt Velasquez. Meanwhile, the Junior Altas are gunning for their fifth consecutive win when they clash with the Red Cubs at 12 noon. "After our last game against La Salle Greenhills, we practiced...