NCAA: San Beda guns for twice-to-beat edge vs Perpetual Help
MANILA, Philippines — Safely settled in the Final Four, San Beda will shoot for the twice-to-beat advantage when it tackles Perpetual Help at the resumption of the 90th NCAA basketball tournament Monday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Red Lions made it to the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season after thumping the Lyceum Pirates, 76-60, last week.
Article continues after this advertisement“We’ve made it to the Final Four, now we’ll try to make it to the top two,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez.
The Red Lions (13-2) are actually aiming to secure their eighth NCAA title in nine years.
“Thats’ our goal, but first we have to get that twice-to-beat edge,” said Fernandez.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Altas, still in the hunt for a Final Four seat, are coming off a long break after losing to the Mapua Cardinals, 81-91, on Sept. 10.
They managed to push the Lions to the limit in their previous encounter before the defending champs pulled off a narrow 77-75 win.
Joel Jolangcob failed to rescue the win for the Altas as his potential game-winning three rimmed out in the waning seconds.
Running fifth (8-6), the Altas are in a tight race for a Final Four slot with the St. Benilde Blazers and the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, which share third with 9-5 records.
Also-ran Mapua and Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) collide in the other seniors encounter at 4 p.m.
The late-blooming Cardinals (4-10) are coming off with that stirring victory over Perpetual Help and have the momentum against the cellar-dwelling EAC Generals (3-12).
The NCAA postponed the two previous playdates during the weekend due to the floodings caused by Tropical Storm “Mario.”