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 oclock.
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 todays 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 todays ballgame, having beaten their respective opponents the first time they met this year. Abac Cordero