Bombers, Stags on collision course

The Final Four race in the 79th NCAA basketball tournament shifts to a higher gear today with two explosive matches lined up at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Defending champion San Sebastian and Jose Rizal University square off in the first seniors game at 1 p.m. before Mapua and Perpetual Help take the floor at 3 o’clock.

The Stags, the back-to-back champions, and the Heavy Bombers, so hungry for the title, are sharing the top spot with the Letran Knights at 7-4 with today’s winner gaining the solo lead plus a big step in the race for the top two spots and the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.

Mapua is in solo fourth with a 6-4 record followed by San Beda at 6-5. Perpetual Help is next at 4-8 being trailed by St. Benilde and Philippine Christian University, both out of the Final Four picture with 4-8 and 3-9 records, respectively.

A victory by Mapua will also send Perpetual in the sidelines and leave five teams fighting it out for the four slots in th e next round.

Based on the first round results, San Sebastian and Mapua are tipped to win today’s ballgame, having beaten their respective opponents the first time they met this year. — Abac Cordero