Lions seek playoff bonus vs Knights

MANILA, Philippines - Second-running San Beda seeks to secure the other twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four against third-running Letran in a keenly awaited, crucial 87th NCAA seniors basketball showdown today at The Arena in San Juan.

The Red Lions (14-2) lead the Knights (14-3) by only half-a-game and a victory in their 4 p.m. match will guarantee them of the Top 2 seeding and bonus in the semis alongside idle San Sebastian (16-1), which booked the first semis berth with an 80-68 rout of Lyceum the other day.

“That’s crucial for our campaign primarily because we have to stay in the No. 2 spot to get twice-to-beat-advantage,” said SBC coach Frankie Lim.

Actually, the Lions can even vie for the No. 1 position if they beat the Knights today and the Stags on Wednesday, forcing a playoff with SSC.

“It’s going to be tough as we’re taking on Letran and San Sebastian back-to-back so we have to close the elims on a high note,” Lim said.

Should the Knights prevail, they will finish the elims with 15-3 and even find themselves in a rubber-match for the No. 2 berth if San Beda loses to San Sebastian in the last game of the prelims.

“Whatever, we should win against San Beda today,” said Letran coach Louie Alas.

Both SBC and Letran enter the game with high morale, having gained confidence with big triumphs in their preceding matches.

“Our three games against Arellano, St. Benilde and Lyceum were confidence boosters going into the Letran and Baste games,” said Lim, 3-0 in their last outings.

“We’ll play them with a built-up confidence,” said Alas, whose wards have won their last two assignments, including an 82-81 win over previously unbeaten SSC. “Most likely, at this point, they (SBC) will be our opponent in the Final Four so this will be a good preparation for the Final Four.”

Two vacation-bound squads – St. Benilde (5-11) and Emilio Aguinaldo College (4-12) – clash at 2 p.m., looking to go out with a bang.

In juniors’ play, the SBC Red Cubs (16-0) gun for their 17th straight against the Letran Squires (13-3) at 11:45 a.m.

The La Salle Greenhills Junior Blazers and the EAC Brigadiers, both with 11-5 marks, dispute the No. 3 spot at 10 a.m..