LYCEUM of the Philippines University guns for a historic elimination round sweep against defending champion San Beda in what could be a sneak preview of the finals of the 93rd National Collegiate Athletic Association seniors basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Pirates are one win away from completing a historic 18-game sweep that will catapult them straight to the best-of-three finals if they beat the second-running Red Lions (16-1) in the 2 p.m. game.
“It’s another opportunity for us to inspire others,” said Coach Topex Robinson of Lyceum, which joined the league only six years ago.
Lyceum is trying to become the first team to go for a sweep after the Red Lions, who did the feat seven years ago.
San Beda Coach Boyet Fernandez, however, is bent at spoiling a Lyceum party.
“We have to bring our defensive mentality in the game and limit the production of their players,” said Fernandez, whose charges are on a 15-game streak after losing to Lyceum, 91-96, in the first-round on July 14.
San Sebastian (8-9), meanwhile, shoots for at least a playoff for the last spot in the Final Four as it tackles University of Perpetual Help (4-13) at 4 p.m.
A victory by the Stags will forge a three-way tie at No. 4 with Letran Knights and the Arellano University Chiefs on 9-9 cards.
If that happens, San Sebastian will draw a bye by virtue of its highest point differential with 30 as against the -9 and -21 of Letran and Arellano University, respectively.
The Knights and Chiefs then face off in a knockout match with the winner battling the Stags for the last semifinals seat.