San Beda College aims to move closer to finishing in the top two, while College of St. Benilde fights for dear Final Four life as the they face off today in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Lions are currently at second with a 13-1 (win-loss) mark and will jump into joint first with the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates (14-1) if the former could hurdle the Blazers, who are at fifth with an 8-6 slate, in their 4 p.m. showdown.
It will also clinch the reigning back-to-back champion at least a playoff for a place in the top two and the twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four.
The Blazers, for their part, will go all out to pull the rug from under the Lions as a win will push them closer to regaining their place in the magic four.
Interestingly, Perpetual Help, currently at No. 4 with a 9-5 mark, has a chance to put some distance from CSB as it shoots for a fifth straight win against an already ousted San Sebastian (4-10) at 2 p.m.
Perpetual Help got the better of San Sebastian in their first-round duel, 78-76, thanks to Prince Eze’s game-winner on Aug. 8 at the Perpetual Help Gym.
The Altas are also riding high on a four-game streak highlighted by a shock 83-81 win over the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates on Sept. 21 and capped by an 88-71 demolition of the Mapua Cardinals Friday.
Perpetual Help’s last three assignments are Emilio Aguinaldo on Oct, 5, Letran on Oct. 12 and San Beda on Oct. 23.