‘NC’ Final 4 contenders seek crucial wins today

REIGNING MVP Calvin Abueva returns from a one-game suspension as San Sebastian guns for win No. 10, even as Final Four contenders Jose Rizal U and Perpetual Help duke it out today in the 88th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Stags take on the St. Benilde Blazers at 4 p.m. with Abueva rejoining the squad after sitting it out following a disqualifying foul against Lyceum.

The Bombers and Altas collide at 6 p.m. with both teams jockeying for the inside track in the Final Four race.

The Bombers hold an 8-3 record, while the Altas, who have slowed down after winning six of their first eight games, are in fourth with a 7-4 card.

With a 9-3 card, the Stags will be looking to close in on a Final Four berth, while the Blazers are nursing slim hopes of reaching the postseason after winning just one of their last five games.

The Stags barely survived the Blazers, 95-93, in their first-round meeting last June 30 with Abueva dishing out a double-double of 23 points and 23 rebounds.

The Blazers are hoping to sustain the momentum of their blowout victory over the Arellano Chiefs last Thursday where forward Paolo Taha fired a career-high 22 points.

“We can’t think about the Final Four right now,” said St. Benilde coach Richard del Rosario. “We want to… finish the season well.”

Even without Abueva, San Sebastian showed it had more than enough firepower against Arellano. Ian Sangalang and Ronald Pascual picked up the slack, combining for 40 points and 23 rebounds.

The Bombers prevailed over the Altas, 64-59, in their first meeting last July 23.

The Altas are looking to bounce back from a 61-68 loss to Letran. Cedelf P. Tupas