Red Lions battle streaking SSC Stags

ALREADY assured of a Final Four spot, San Beda seeks to move closer to the next best thing—a twice-to-beat edge in the semifinals of the 89th NCAA basketball tournament.

But the defending champion Red Lions need to hurdle the streaking Stags to sustain their bid in the 6 p.m. main game of today’s double-header at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Perpetual Help shoots for a Final Four berth when it meets Lyceum in the first game at 4 p.m.

The Altas are out to rebound from a stinging 76-78 overtime loss to San Beda last Thursday where they rallied from 21 points down in the fourth quarter to forge extra time only to fall short.

But the Altas can formalize their entry in the Final Four for the second straight year with a victory over the Pirates who, at 4-10, could get eliminated from the postseason with a loss coupled with a San Sebastian victory in the second game.

The Stags are hoping that CJ Perez continues his stellar play following a string of double-double performances in the second round.

Stags coach Topex Robinson vowed that his squad will come prepared against the Lions.

Leo de Vera will return from a one-game suspension while Jamil Ortuoste is also expected to suit up after sitting out the game against Lyceum because of the flu.

The Stags’ recent surge has also been attributed to the improvement of Perez who has averaged 23.5 points and 12 rebounds in the last two games.