MANILA, Philippines — The Final Four race in the 90th NCAA basketball tournament goes down the wire with four teams chasing the remaining three spots heading into the last two weeks of the season.
San Beda has already clinched the first Final Four berth, but Arellano, St. Benilde, Perpetual Help and Jose Rizal University are still in the hunt.
The defending champion Red Lions have yet to secure the twice-to-beat bonus, though, after losing their last two games to Perpetual Help and JRU, which are tied for fourth spot with 10-6 records.
This season could feature the tightest Final Four race since 2008, when four teams finished tied from second to fifth spots and the stepladder format had to be used to determine the qualifiers.
The Chiefs, who have yet to reach the postseason since joining the league in 2009, are already assured of a playoff for a Final Four berth with a 12-4 card.
But a win against San Beda on Saturday and another victory over Lyceum on Oct. 8 could give them the No. 1 seed in the Final Four.
The Lions can clinch a twice-to-beat edge if Perpetual Help beats St. Benilde on Wednesday.
The Blazers, with a 10-5 card, are gunning for their first Final Four appearance in 11 years.
A win over the Altas on Wednesday could also put them in contention for a twice-to-beat edge although they would still need to beat Mapua on Oct. 6 and hope that San Beda loses to Arellano for a playoff to happen.
The prospects also look good for the Altas. After the clash with the Blazers, the Altas face already-eliminated San Sebastian on Saturday.
The Bombers boosted their Final Four aspirations by stunning the Red Lions, 74-65, last Saturday.
JRU is favored to sweep its last two games against suspension-hit Mapua on Friday and San Sebastian on Oct. 6.
“Every game is important especially with the tight standings,” said Bombers coach Vergel Meneses. “We have to stay focused.”
Meanwhile, the Cardinals will forfeit their game versus Letran at 11 a.m. Monday after most of their players were suspended for their involvement in the free-for-all against Emilio Aguinaldo College last Monday.