Altas gun for Final 4; Knights fight for life

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

PERPETUAL Help tries to nail a Final Four berth when it squares off with Lyceum Tuesday, even as defending champion Letran fights for survival in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

A victory by the Altas in the 12 noon clash with the Pirates will allow Perpetual to clinch the third semifinal spot after Arellano and San Beda advanced last week with games to spare.

The Chiefs try to bolster their bid for a twice-to-beat edge when they clash with the Jose Rizal U Heavy Bombers, while the Knights hope to avoid elimination as they battle the Mapua Cardinals.

With a 12-3 record, the Chiefs can solidify their hold of top spot with a win in the 2 p.m. game against the Bombers, who are locked in a tight battle with the Cardinals for the No. 4 spot.

JRU holds a 9-7 record and another loss plus a Mapua victory against Letran will virtually knocked the Bombers out of Final Four contention.

The Cardinals, who tote a 9-5 slate, can also end the Knights’ bid for back-to-back crowns with a victory in the 4 p.m. game. Letran dropped to 8-8 last Friday after bowing to Arellano, 74-83.

The Altas are riding high on their 89-80 double overtime victory over the Bombers last Friday in a game where they fought back from a seven-point hole in the last two minutes of regulation.

Bright Akhuetie took his game to another level in the second overtime, powering his way to game-highs 28 points and 18 rebounds to lift the Altas.

“Reaching the Final Four is our target after we missed out on a spot last season,” said Perpetual Help coach Jimwell Gican.