PWU head coach Vic Lazaro instructs his team during a huddle. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
DEFENDING champion PATTS College of Aeronautics and rival La Consolacion College-Manila are heavily-favored to enter the 8th InterScholastic Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament when they battle separate foes in the Final Four today at the Manila Tytana Gym in Diosdado Macapagal Avenue at Pasay City.
The Seahorses of coach Lency Aranzaso hope to extend their mastery when they collide with the Philippine Women’s University Patriots at 9 a.m., while the Blue Royals of Bong dela Cruz test the mettle of host St. Dominic College of Asia at 10:30 a.m.
Both PATTS and LCCM enjoy twice-to-beat advantages. The Seahorses topped the double-round elimination with a 9-1 win-loss record capped by a 63-53 victory over the Patriots last Monday at the LCCM Gym in Mendiola. PWU ended in fourth place with a 5-5 record.
The Blue Royals, who shocked the Seahorses during the start of the league, slumped to a 7-3 card after absorbing a stinging 64-63 setback against Manila Tytana Colleges at the end of the eliminations,
The Red Pikes of SDCA finished in third place with a 6-4 mark.
Despite losing twice to PATTS in the eliminations, PWU coach Vic Lazaro remained calm and confident that his charges, last year’s losing finalists, will be able to create a surprise.
‘‘Everybody has a chance. The character of the team will be known. PATTS is tall and strong but we have our speed,’’ said Lazaro, who will pin his hopes of the stellar plays of Jezrell Andaya, John Fernandez, Jasper Alvez and Edward Oebanda.
To force a decider, PWU must clamp down on MVP Jhon Paul Manansala, Edison Borja, Jayson Orada, Mark Velasco, Neilmore Cayson and Rogiemar Calubag.
LCCM is also not taking SDCA for granted.
‘‘As the saying goes, the ball is round. We need to prepare hard for a very talented opponent,’’ said Dela Cruz, who handled the UST Tigers in the UAAP last season.
Leading LCCM’s charge are Renz Rivota, Marc Raeved Obado, Jesse Bardaje Jr, Thurlough Grealy, Albert Magwale Jr, John Salomon and Juan Miguel Gula, while SDCA will pin its hopes on Dean Morris Oraliza, Adrian Mocorro,John Sales and Miguel Lagman.
Meanwhile, the ISAA men’s and women’s volleyball tournament will unfurl November 10 at the St. Dominic College of Asia Gym along Emilio Aguinaldo Highway at Bacoor, Cavite.
LCCM battles SDCA in the women’s side 8:30 a.m., followed by the 10 a.m. encounter between the two schools in the men’s side. PATTS will open its campaign in the men’s division against PWU at 11:30 a.m., followed by the Manila Adventist Colleges –FEATI University clash at 1 p.m. FEATI meets Manila Adventist in the women’s division 2:30 p.m.