Defending champion San Beda shoots for the second twice-to-beat bonus when it clashes with Arellano University on Thursday in NCAA Season 93 basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Holding a 12-1 record, the Red Lions can become the second team after Lyceum that will be armed with an advantage in the Final Four with a victory in the 4 p.m. clash.
After disputing the title last season, both San Beda and Arellano have gone on opposite directions this season with the Chiefs in the lower half of the standings.
With a 5-8 record, the Chiefs are in danger of missing out on the Final Four for the first time in three seasons.
But Arellano coach Jerry Codiñera hopes his team was able to gather momentum from the 84-79 conquest of Emilio Aguinaldo College last Friday.
Michael Cañete exploded for a season-high 27 points to lead the Chiefs past the Generals and Codiñera is hoping for more of the same from the power forward.
“He has to be aggressive,” said Codiñera.
The Lions are actually gunning for a 12th straight victory that will put them closer to the Pirates. But while the Lions overcame Jose Rizal U, 65-60, last Friday, coach Boyet Fernandez remains concerned over his team’s turnover total in the last two games.
“We have to learn to take good care of our basketball so that one way or another we’ll have a good chance to be consistent in our game,” said Fernandez, whose team has committed 50 turnovers in the last two games.
Bottom teams St. Benilde and Mapua clash at 2 p.m.