Games Today (The Arena, San Juan)
10 a.m. — SSC vs EAC (Jrs)
11:45 a.m. — SBC vs Perpetual (Jrs)
2 p.m. — SSC vs EAC (Srs)
4 p.m. — SBC vs Perpetual (Srs)

San Sebastian College guns for a share of the lead when it battles the winless Emilio Aguinaldo College on Friday in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Boosted by their 75-62 thrashing of College of St. Benilde that gave them a sizzling 3-0 start, the Stags are tipped to prevail when they collide with the Generals in the opener at 2 p.m.

Defending champion San Beda College and University of Perpetual Help clash at 4 p.m. with the Red Lions hoping to score their fourth win in five outings.

A victory by the Stags will extend their unbeaten run to four games and will give them a piece of the lead with Jose Rizal University, which bombed Arellano, 88-82, last Wednesday.

The Stags, who missed the Final Four last season, have raised their status as a giant killer this season following their dismantling of the four-peat seeking Lions, 83-77, two weeks ago.

Despite their early success, coach Ato Agustin is not taking the Generals lightly.

“We’re happy of on where we are right now, but it’s still a long season. We’ve won thrice, this means we still have to win 15 more games,” said Agustin, a former PBA MVP who took the coaching chores from Jorge Gallent, this season.

Jimbo Aquino and Calvin Abueva are expected to carry the scoring load anew for the Stags following their 17-point performances against St. Benilde.

Agustin said they have to play as hard as they since he knows the Generals are aching to bounce back from a 69-9\83 loss to the Bombers last week.

Garvo Lanete, brother of Ginebra’s Chico Lanete, is expected to lead the Lions, who scored their first back-to-back wins this season after mauling Arellano, 86-66.

In that game, Lanete fired 16 points and hauled down three rebounds and dished out four assists with one steal in what could be his best game so far.

Aside form Lanete, American Sudan Daniel also poses a big threat for the Altas, who finally barged into the win-column after downing Angeles University Foundation, 94-84, last Wednesday.

SBC mentor Frankie Lim said his rookie ‘import’ is slowly getting the feel of the NCAA brand of play and warned the rest of the field that he’s just around 70 percent of his potential.

“Slowly, he’s already getting the feel of everything and he’s just played three games. Give him more time, I think he could bring in the same domination Sam (Ekwe) gave us before,” Lim said of the 6-foot-8 behemoth.