Knights, Cards wage virtual do-or-die tiff for last berth

Letran and Mapua, a couple of seeded teams now on the verge of elimination, take on separate opponents today seeking victories that could keep their Final Four hopes going in the 78th NCAA basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Tied for fifth with 4-6 records, the Knights and the Cardinals are in a tight fix with both teams actually needing to sweep their last four games to earn a decent shot at the Final Four. A seventh loss would virtually end their chances of reaching the next round.

A big thing going for Letran and Mapua, however, is the fact that their respective opponents, host San Beda and Perpetual Help, are out of contention with identical 1-9 records. The Knights face the Red Lions at 2 p.m. while the Cardinals face the Altas at 4 p.m.

Defending champion San Sebastian and 2000 winner St. Benilde are already assured of slots in the Final Four with their pacesetting 9-2 records, but are still trying to win as many games in order to land in the top two and earn a twice-to-beat advantage.

The Stags, winner of five straight crowns in the early ‘90s, clinched the second Final Four slot the other day with a 70-67 victory over the Blazers. It was the seventh straight win for San Sebastian.

Philippine Christian University and Jose Rizal, with their 7-4 slates, have the inside track on the last two slots in the Final Four. They only need to win at least two of their last three games to complete the semis cast and slam the door on Letran and Mapua.

In case of a tie for any of the two remaining slots to the next round, the quotient system will be applied.