Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Reigning five-peat champion San Beda shoots for the solo lead against a revamped Emilio Aguinaldo College Thursday (July 2) in the 91st National Collegiate Athletics Association basketball tournament at the San Juan Arena.
Adeogun missed the Lions’ 102-89 victory over the Mapua Cardinals in Saturday’s opener at the Mall of Asia Arena due to hamstring issues and will be back when they tangle with the Generals at 2PM.
Read: San Beda opens title defense with 102-89 win against Mapua
While Adeogun is back, Amer should be kept out for two to three weeks after a shoulder injury he sustained in the Southeast Asian Games in Singapore where Gilas cadet copped the gold medal last month.
“Ola (Adeogun) playing while Baser (Amer) could be out two to three weeks,” said San Beda coach Jamike Jarin.
Donald Tankoua filled the vacuum the last time out when following an 18-point and eight-rebound performance and should return to his bench role with Adeogun suiting up.
Ranbill Tongco and Roldan Sara also stepped up big in lieu of Amer by combining for 24 points, four assists and three steals while providing the adhesive that kept the Lions together amid the serious threat posed by the vastly-improved Cardinals.
Arthur dela Cruz, however, wil still be the man to watch after he shone the brightest versus Mapua with 27 points, 17 boards and six dimes.
“A lot of guys stepped up in our first win and we will need to summon the same spirit again for us to keep it going,” said Jarin.
San Beda will be facing an EAC team which has changed African imports and coach hoping to bounce back from last season’s tumtultuous campaign.
Andy de Guzman has taken over from Gerry Esplana while Cameroonians Laminou Hamadou and Mbang Adoum Abba were recruited in place of Noube Happi.
San Sebastian will open its campaign with a new mentor in former pro Rodney Santos, who succeeded now Lyceum coach Topex Robinson as it tackles Mapua at 4PM.
Meanwhile, the NCAA Management Committee chaired by Melchor Divina of Mapua upheld the recommendation of commissioner Arturo “Bai” Cristobal forfeiting La Salle-Greenhills’ 88-49 win over Letran Tuesday due to uniform violations.
“Yes it was forfeited,” said Divina.
LSGH’s Jesmar Pedrosa, Alain Madrigal and Ladis Lepalam wore Nos. 20, 28 and 27, respectively, which violated a league rule limiting players to Nos. 4 to 19.
