FIERCE rivals Letran and San Beda gun for an outright Final Four slot and a twice-to-beat advantage as they collide on Tuesday in the 91st National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) seniors basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Knights lead the field with a 12-4 (win-loss) record, while the Red Lions are in second place with a 12-5 slate. The winner of the 4 p.m. showdown will not only clinch the solo lead but will also advance to the semifinals and each the vital incentive that goes with it.
The loser will fall to No. 2 and complicate the Final Four race along with Jose Rizal University (11-6), Arellano University (11-6), University of Perpetual Help (11-6) and Mapua (10-6).
Letran Coach Aldin Ayo considers their duel with San Beda as make-or-break.
“It will be an important game for both of us, I consider it a do-or-die game considering how the Final Four race is shaping up,” Ayo said.
NCAA Management Committee Chairman Melchor Divina of Mapua, meanwhile, said the net proceeds of the Letran-San Beda duel will go to former Letran and Philippine Basketball Association star Samboy Lim, who has yet to recover from coma.
The Knights seized the top spot after beating Arellano University, 87-81, on September 25 and watched the Chiefs book a shock 91-72 rout of the Red Lions last Thursday that sent the reigning “five-peat” champions down to No. 2.
Letran defeated beaten San Beda, 93-80, in their first-round encounter on July 16.
Interestingly, it was in that game where San Beda captain Baser Amer dislocated his shoulder, which sidelined him for two months.
In the other games, Arellano University squares off with College of Saint Benilde at 12 noon and Mapua takes on Emilio Aguinaldo College at 2 p.m.