INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/AUGUST DELA CRUZ
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.
“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.
The 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.”