Lions, Chiefs try to seal title clash

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed San Beda and No. 2 Arellano U try to cash in on their twice-to-beat edges as they clash with Perpetual Help and Jose Rizal U, respectively, in the Final Four of the 90th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City today.

The Lions, gunning for their ninth straight championship appearance, and the Chiefs, shooting for their first-ever finals stint, need only to win their 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. matches, respectively, to arrange a best-of-three duel for this year’s crown.

Among the semifinalists, the Lions have a tradition and dynasty to keep after making it to the best-of-three championship the last eight seasons, winning all but one, including a four-peat feat last year.

“It’s a tradition for the school and community and I hope we’ll continue it on my watch,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez.

But Fernandez knows they are in for a tough outing against the Altas, who nipped them, 76-75, on a pair of clutch free throws by pro-bound Harold Arboleda last Sept. 22 to split their two meetings this year.

“Perpetual Help is always a tough assignment because they not only have a good coach in Aric del Rosario, but also have talented players,” said Fernandez.

For one, Perpetual Help’s Earl Scottie Thompson, a cinch for this year’s MVP plum after leading the statistical race, is going all-out to help his team win its first-ever championship.

“The MVP is nothing if we can’t win the championship,” said Thompson, a 21-year-old talent from Digos, Davao del Sur.

For Arellano U mentor Jerry Codiñera, the Chiefs need to find a way to neutralize Jose Rizal’s stingy defense and realize a dream finals stint.