Blazers gun for crucial win vs Lions
COLLEGE of St. Benilde and San Beda clash in a crucial match that could possibly decide the top two teams in the NCAA men’s basketball Final Four at the Filoil EcoOil Centre today, November 22.
The Blazers, who will make their first Final Four appearance since 2002, hope to clinch the twice-tobeat bonus against the Red Lions at 3 p.m.
Benilde is currently tied with defending champion Letran for the lead with a 13-4 record, while San Beda sports a 12-5 card in third place.
With a 12-6 record, Lyceum of the Philippines University has no more chances of securing a semifinals incentive and could only get as high as third.
A win by the Blazers will relegate the Red Lions to No. 4, as the Mendiola-based cagers lost twice to the Pirates in the eliminations, making them vulnerable to a possible Final Four collision with the Knights.
A Benilde loss to San Beda, coupled by a Letran win over alreadyeliminated Jose Rizal University in the final day of eliminations tomorrow, will force a playoff between the Blazers and the Red Lions for the remaining twice-tobeat slot next week.
A three-way between the Knights, the Blazers and the Red Lions at 13-5 could take place that will complicate things for the top two chase in the Final Four, but with the way the Bombers perform as of late, this possibility is highly unlikely.
Benilde hopes to score a repeat of its 78-69 victory over San Beda in the first round.
Also-rans Arellano University and Emilio Aguinaldo College wrap up their season in the first game at 12 noon.