Streaking SSC has solo lead in mind vs AUF

Saying that they have learned their lesson from a near-mishap, the San Sebastian Stags enter the court with guns blazing when they meet lowly Angeles U Foundation on Monday, their eyes on the solo leadership of the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City. “We’ve learned our lesson, we’ll not take for granted any team anymore," said San Sebastian coach Ato Agustin, who almost got burned when he experimented with his rotation versus another guest team, Emilio Aguinaldo College, two weeks ago. The Stags, currently tied at the helm with Jose Rizal Bombers with their unblemished 5-0 slates, enter the 4 p.m. match with a rout in mind against the Great Danes. San Sebastian will also be riding on an 86-69 demolition of Arellano U last week while the Great Danes are coming from 53-82 defeat at the hands of co-leader Jose Rizal U. The Generals, meanwhile, try to post their second consecutive win when they face St. Benilde in the 2 p.m. game. EAC mentor Nomar Isla hopes to use their 80-69 upset win over the Mapua Cardinals last week as a rallying point to somehow boost their sagging campaign. “We’re happy we won our first game in the NCAA, we hope to carry the momentum of that win when we play St. Benilde," said Isla. But Isla and the Generals will be confronting a St. Benilde side which is also hungry for more victories to regain its composure and confidence in the league. St. Benilde nipped Perpetual Help, 64-63, last Friday to tie Letran at No. 4 with their identical 3-3 slates. “I really feel we need to improve on a lot of things after what happened in our last game," said St. Benilde coach Richard del Rosario. “I think some of the things we need to do are to rebound more and make our outside shots." “If we could do that, I think we would have a chance of finishing big this season," added del Rosario. – Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV