THE race to the semifinals gets tighter as Final Four hopefuls San Beda University and University of Perpetual Help battle separate foes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 94 seniors basketball tournament on Thursday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The defending champion Red Lions (13-1 won-lost) try to chase leader Lyceum Pirates (14-1) for a chance to arrange at least a playoff for the twice-to-beat incentive in the semifinals.
In a game marred by unsportsmanlike fouls, the Pirates showed composure to eliminate the Mapua Cardinals via a 92-76 thrashing on Tuesday.
With the win, Lyceum booked not only a semifinals appearance, but also the opportunity to earn the bonus come the Final Four.
In order for San Beda to at least tie the tournament leader, it must hurdle a big test, College of Saint Benilde (8-6) at 4 p.m.
The Red Lions beat the San Sebastian Stags, 82-75, six days ago to assure themselves of a playoff for the Final Four berth.
San Beda Coach Boyet Fernandez knows that Saint Benilde will go hard on them.
“We are wary about Saint Benilde. We know their backs are on the wall, for sure they will come out with guns blazing,” Fernandez said.
The Atlas (9-5), meanwhile, will try to extend their winning run to bolster its bid for a semifinals ticket when they take on the already eliminated Stags (4-10) at 2 p.m.