NCAA: No. 1 Benilde faces San Beda, Letran battles Lyceum in Final Four

St. Benilde Blazers’ Will Gozum (0). Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—College of St. Benilde claimed the top seed as the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball Final Four was finalized on Wednesday.

Letran (13-5) was denied of the No. 1 spot after a stunning 87-71 loss to also-ran Jose Rizal University on Wednesday.

The Knights’ setback propelled the Blazers to the top at 14-4 and will clash with the No. 4 San Beda Red Lions in the Final Four.

St. Benilde swept San Beda in the elimination round.

Letran, meanwhile, arranged a semifinals date with No. 3 Lyceum (12-6).

Letran Knights. NCAA PHOTO

The Pirates and the Knights split their season series. Lyceum came back from 19 points down to beat Letran, 82-75, in their first-round duel on October 2 while the Knights returned the favor in the second round, 69-64, last October 28.

CSB and Letran will have a twice-to-beat advantage against their respective foes.

Lyceum and San Beda finished the elimination round with identical 12-6 records, but the Pirates earned the third seed after beating the Lions twice in the elims.

The Final Four will begin on Tuesday at San Juan Arena. St. Benilde and San Beda meet at 12 noon while Letran and Lyceum battle at 3 p.m.