Altas, Knights aim for vital wins today

Games today

12 p.m. – EAC vs Letran (Jrs)

2 p.m. – Perpetual vs San Beda (Jrs)

4 p.m. – EAC vs Letran (Srs)

6 p.m. – Perpetual vs San Beda (Srs)

MANILA, Philippines - Letran and Perpetual Help try to preserve their joint hold of third place and keep fifth running Jose Rizal U at bay as they take on separate rivals in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan today.

But while the Knights have what seemed to be a lighter assignment in the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals at 4 p.m., the Altas will have their hands full against the San Beda Red Lions in the 6 p.m. main game.

San Beda clinched the top spot at 14-2 for a twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four with the second running San Sebastian foiled to book the other incentive by Jose Rizal, which scored an 82-74 victory last Thursday to stay in the hunt.

A Perpetual loss will enable the Bombers to join the Altas at fourth heading to the final week of the double-round elims, paving the way for a wild chase for the fourth and last semis berth.

The Altas actually put one over the Lions in the first round, escaping with an 88-87 overtime victory last July 12.

“I expect them (San Beda) to go all out against us and avenge that loss,” said Perpetual Help coach Aric del Rosario. “So I told my players to be ready and perhaps we could get lucky again just like in our first meeting.”

Baser Amer hit a miraculous three-point from the backcourt to force overtime but the Altas hung tough in the extra period to frustrate the defending champions.

The Altas hope to draw inspiration from the return of Nigerian big man Femi Babayemi, who served out a one-game suspension in a 64-53 win over the Lyceum Pirates at the Subic Bay Gym last Tuesday.

Perpetual’s top scorer Jett Vidal will also get to play after he was hit by Lyceum’s John Azores in the face in a fastbreak play in the third quarter, forcing him to sit out the remainder of the contest.

Meanwhile, Letran coach Louie Alas cautioned his wards not to take the Generals lightly and dish out their best to get closer to a dream Final Four stint.

“EAC may be out of it but it’s a team playing inspired basketball right now having already come out of its best season since entering the league a few years back,” said Alas.