Also-ran squads clash in NCAA Thursday

Jamil Ortuoste shoots to bring San Sebastian streak to 3 games. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Four teams no longer in the hunt for a Final Four berth try to put a positive spin to their respective campaigns when they take the floor Thursday in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

San Sebastian seeks to extend its winning run to three games when it tangles with St. Benilde at 4 p.m., after struggling squads Lyceum and Emilio Aguinaldo College collide in the first game.

The Stags are riding high on their 98-92 upset of the San Beda Red Lions last Tuesday. Bradwyn Guinto delivered his best performance of the season for the Stags with 26 points, outplaying Nigerian Ola Adeogun.

But the Blazers who have just three wins in 15 games are also desperate to come up with a strong finish, just a year after barely missing out on the Final Four.

The Generals are mired on a seven-game slump but their woes are compounded by suspensions slapped on Enjerico Diego and Raymund Pascua for unsportsmanlike conduct in the loss to Perpetual Help last Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the NCAA Management Committee chaired by Melchor Divina of Mapua is investigating the parking lot fight between EAC and Perpetual Help players last Tuesday.