Arellano University tries to stay in the Final Four hunt as it battles St. Benilde on Thursday even as Mapua and Perpetual Help clash in a showdown of eliminated teams in NCAA Season 93 at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Game time is at 2 p.m., with the Chiefs gunning for a sixth victory that will keep their faint postseason hopes alive, just a year after battling San Beda in the finals.
With a 5-9 record, the Chiefs have a mere outside chance of keeping alive their streak of Final Four appearances, which started three seasons ago.
Lyceum and San Beda already own the twice-to-beat bonus, but the race for the last two remaining Final Four spots looks like its down to three teams with Jose Rizal U having the upper hand with a 9-6 record, while Letran (8-7) and San Sebastian (7-7) are also in the running.
A defeat by the Chiefs will end their hopes of reaching the Final Four.
“We just want to take it one game at a time,” said Arellano coach and PBA legend Jerry Codiñera. “Our fate is not in our hands, but of course, we want to finish the season strong.”