San Sebastian College shoots for a third straight win when it battles Arellano University in Season 101 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament today at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Game time is at 11 a.m. with the Golden Stags looking to sustain their momentum and boost their bid for the next round of the oldest collegiate tournament.
Meanwhile, Jose Rizal University (JRU) and Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) will lock horns at 2:30 p.m. to cap the explosive double-header.
Right now, they are fashioning a 3-7 win-loss record, giving them no choice but to win their last four assignments if they want to safely make it to the play-in.
San Sebastian head coach Rob Labagala said he couldn’t have been prouder of his top guns Jhuniel dela Rama and Christian Ricio for leading them in their stunning wins over heavyweights Letran College and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta last week.
“Really proud of the players. Really proud of the team because having to hold onto them and then buy into the system despite our situation is something that you will truly appreciate,” Labagala said.
“I have nothing to say but thank you.”
But getting this far isn’t easy.
Despite having an overhaul with a new coach in Labagala, San Sebastian still started its season with only one win in its first seven matches — a 100-94 victory over Lyceum of the Philippines University last 10 October.
The Stags, however, refused to quit.
They pulled off an 82-81 win over the Knights following a Dela Rama game-winner on 29 October before pulling the rug from under the Altas, 62-61, last Friday, thanks to Christian Ricio’s 17 points and Dela Rama’s 15 markers.
The red-hot Stags will confront an Arellano side that is looking for a win that will snap its three-game losing streak after bowing to San Beda University, 53-76; Letran, 65-83; and Jose Rizal University, 77-79.