Defending champion San Beda tries to close in on a Final Four berth today when it squares off with surging St. Benilde in the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Game time is at 6 p.m. with the Lions gunning for an 11th victory in 13 games that will boost them to the solo lead ahead of the idle Letran Knights.
San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez said he doesn’t want his players to focus too much on where they are in the standings.
“Our goal is to reach the Final Four and get the twice-to-beat advantage,” said Fernandez.
But the Lions are expected to have their hands full against the Blazers, who narrowly lost to San Beda, 70-71, in their first round meeting last June 22.
With a 5-7 card, the Blazers hope to climb out of a three-team tie for fifth spot and move closer behind fourth-running San Sebastian, which battles Lyceum in the first game at 4 p.m.
St. Benilde has won five of its last seven games, but the Blazers’ Final Four hopes absorbed a blow following a 64-68 defeat to the Perpetual Help Altas last week.
Still, the Blazers remain a dangerous foe with the explosive trio of Paolo Taha, Mark Romero and Jonathan Grey spearheading the attack.
The Stags are shooting for a fourth straight victory against the Pirates that will firm up their hold of the fourth and last Final Four spot.
The Stags are coming off a 73-62 triumph over the Mapua Cardinals last Sept. 14, while the Pirates dropped a 75-76 decision to the Arellano Chiefs last Thursday.