Red Lions shift focus on F4 incentive, battle Altas

ALREADY assured of a semifinal spot, San Beda University now seeks to get closer to a twice-to-beat advantage when it tackles the struggling University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in Season 95 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) seniors basketball tournament today at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

The leading Red Lions (13-0) square off with the No. 8 Altas (3-8) at 2 p.m., before Mapua University (6-6) goes for the solo fifth spot against No. 7 Jose Rizal University (4-8).

San Beda clinched its 14th straight Final Four berth after routing San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 91-76, just two days ago.

But a semifinal spot is enough as veteran coach Boyet Fernandez wants his Lions to secure a top two spot that will hand them a win-once bonus.

“We need to get some wins in order for us to fortify our position in the top two which is our main goal for now,” said Fernandez, whose team is just two triumphs away from sealing a playoff incentive.

“As long as we work as a team both on offense and defense, we have a good chance of getting those wins,” added the bemedalled mentor.

Filipino- Canadian shooting guard James Kwekuteye, leading MVP candidate Calvin Oftana, Cameroonian center Donald Tankoua and playmaker Evan Nelle will lead San Beda’s assault anew.

The Lions will look to repeat their 102-56 manhandling of the Altas back in the first round.

Last season’s semifinalist Perpetual Help, though, is eager to snap its three- game slide and fan its Final Four hopes.

Combo guard Edgar Charcos, forward Rey Peralta and big man Ben Adamos will carry the fight for the Las Piñas-based squad.