San Beda hopes to keep top spot when it tangles with a resurgent Perpetual Help squad today in the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
Game time is at 6 p.m. with the defending champion Lions going for a season sweep of the Altas who could seize top spot with a victory.
Emilio Aguinaldo College seeks to boost its Final Four drive against a Lyceum squad teetering on the brink of elimination.
The Generals are coming off a stunning 87-64 upset of the Letran Knights last Saturday that enhanced their hopes of reaching the Final Four for the first time.
With a 6-7 record, the Generals are just two games behind fourth-running San Sebastian for the last spot in the Final Four.
But they will be facing a Lyceum squad desperate to stay alive in the race for a playoff spot. At 4-9, the Pirates are already on the brink of elimination.
Having won 11 games each so far, the Lions and Altas are already assured of at least a playoff for a Final Four berth.
But San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez wants more than just a Final Four berth.
“We know it’s going to be tough but we want that twice-to-beat advantage,” said Fernandez, whose squad beat Perpetual Help, 72-65, in their first round meeting. “Perpetual is a good, well-coached team so we have to come out with our A-game against them.”
Foremost on Fernandez’s game plan will be stopping Juneric Baloria, the league’s leading scorer with close to 22 points an outing.
Baloria, despite suffering from the flu, still led the Altas with 18 points in the 74-65 victory over the Mapua Cardinals last Saturday. It was a victory that enabled the Altas to surpass their win total when they clinched a Final Four berth for the first time in seven years last season.