The Lyceum Pirates may not have the momentum going for them into their stepladder semifinals showdown with the Letran Knights.
But a three-week rest period is expected to give the second-seeded Pirates a fresh look into their 4 p.m. matchup with the Knights at the Cuneta Astrodome.
“It’s going to be big for us to create momentum as we go into the home stretch of the season. So there’s opportunity for us to really learn and grow,” said Pirates’ coach Topex Robinson as the team braces for a possible return to the finals in the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
The Pirates will be seeking their second straight finals’ appearance against the defending champion San Beda Red Lions.
In the junior division, the San Sebastian Staglets will have another chance to go for a finals’ slot when they meet the Lyceum Junior Pirates at 1 p.m. in a rubber match.
The no. 3 Staglets stayed in contention with their 84-75 triumph over the Junior Pirates last Tuesday.
The San Beda Red Cubs are already in the finals after their 82-79 win over La Salle Greenhills.