Altas gun for NCAA Final 4 playoff slot versus Stags
Perpetual Help guns for at least a playoff for a Final Four berth while Jose Rizal University seeks to sustain its late season surge in the 91st NCAA basketball Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Arena.
Foiled by the Heavy Bombers last Friday, the Altas aim to close in on a postseason berth against the San Sebastian Stags at 2 p.m.
Riding high on a four-game winning run, the Bombers tangle with the Lyceum Pirates at 4 p.m.
The Altas saw their three-game streak halted by the inspired Bombers, 60-62, last Friday.
And with a titanic clash against Letran lined up in their final elimination round game, the Altas have little room for error against the dangerous Stags who hold a 5-11 record.
Perpetual couldn’t get its offense going in the final stretch against JRU, which held the Altas to just a field goal in the last seven minutes.
“We blew our chance in the last game so hopefully, this time we can do it,” said Perpetual Help coach Aric del Rosario. “We learned our lessons from the loss (to JRU).”
The Altas are hoping for an improved performance from MVP Earl Scottie Thompson who struggled with 4-of-15 shooting for 12 points.
With a 10-6 record, the Bombers will move into solo fourth with a win over the Pirates, who are already out of Final Four contention.
“We consider our remaining games as do-or-die,” said JRU coach Vergel Meneses. “All our hard work the past three weeks will be useless if we lose against Lyceum.”
JRU’s Paolo Pontejos aims to sustain his sizzling form after burning the Altas for 19 points.
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