NCAA: Red Lions, Chiefs seek top pick

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

SAN BEDA and Arellano try to sharpen up for the Final Four as they dispute the top seeding Tuesday in the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Although both teams are already assured of a twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four, there’s no shortage of motivation in their 4 p.m. clash.

The Red Lions are seeking to clinch the No. 1 seed for the 11th straight season—a fact not lost on second-year coach Jamike Jarin.

“I know it’s a tradition that we want to keep,” said Jarin, who lamented the usefulness of a playoff when both teams already own a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, hope to finally figure out the Lions, who have dealt them lopsided losses this season, the latest coming in an 81-91 drubbing last Friday.

The winner of the game will face Perpetual Help in the Final Four on Friday at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, while the No. 2 seed battles third seed Mapua in the other pairing.

Arellano coach Jerry Codiñera rued his team’s inability to rise to the challenge against the Lions last Friday.

“We were really outplayed,” Codiñera admitted. “They didn’t follow instructions. But hopefully, we will improve [today].”