Stags, Generals try to boost s’final hopes

SAN SEBASTIAN and Emilio Aguinaldo College take on separate rivals today in an NCAA double-header that could decide  the last Final Four berth at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Stags, toting a 9-7 record, face Final Four-bound Perpetual Help Altas at 6 p.m., after the Generals, with an 8-8 card, square off with the dangerous Jose Rizal U Bombers, who are already out of the running for a semifinal spot.

A win by the Stags coupled by a loss by Emilio Aguinaldo will give San Sebastian the last Final Four spot. A San Sebastian loss and an EAC win could set up a possible playoff for the last Final Four spot between the two teams.

San Sebastian still has one more game against St. Benilde on Thursday, while EAC will still play Mapua on Oct. 26.

Letran and San Beda, which square off on Monday, are already assured of a twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four.

Only in their fourth season in the league, the Generals have never been this close to reaching the Final Four this late into the season.

But they have no choice but to sweep their last two games and hope that the Stags don’t go beyond 10 victories to at least forge a playoff for a semifinal berth.

“Each game is important for us,” said EAC coach Gerry Esplana, whose squad is looking to avenge a 78-85 loss to the Bombers in the first round. “We can’t look too far ahead.”

The Stags, who bowed to the Letran Knights, 68-75, last week, will be playing a Perpetual Help squad that is out to end a three-game slide.

San Sebastian took the first round meeting between the two teams, prevailing 78-77 in overtime that spoiled a 33-point explosion by Perpetual Help gunner Juneric Baloria.