UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help tries to widen its gap from fifth-running College of St. Benilde, while Letran seeks a better position in the Final Four race as the two semifinals hopeful face separate foes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 94 seniors basketball tournament on Tuesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Altas recorded their 10th win in 15 games following an 85-77 overtime victory from the eliminated San Sebastian Stags (4-1) last Thursday.
To secure at least a playoff for a semifinals spot and further push St. Benilde (8-7) to the exit, Perpetual must hurdle the challenge of Emilio Aguinaldo College (4-12) at 4 p.m.
The Knights, fresh from slaying the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates (14-2), tries to speed up their mission to bag a twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four when they battle the Stags at 2 p.m.
Down five points with less than two minutes in the fourth period, the Altas rallied back to force overtime then went on to a barrage of triples to knock out the Stags.
Perpetual Help Head Coach Frankie Lim reminded his players to keep their composure and play with maturity.
“Don’t forget I have 11 new players and these guys never played in the Finals or maybe in the Final Four. So now, they’ve been given a chance, I told them, you better embrace it,” Lim said. “Never lose hold of it because not all the teams are given this opportunity.”
San Beda is sitting solo at the top with a 14-1 record, and, barring any loss of confidence in its remaining games, Perpetual could complete the Final Four cast along with Lyceum and Letran.