LYCEUM seeks to keep its Final Four hopes alive against San Sebastian College which fights for dear life when they lock horns today in the 100th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
Holding a 6-8 record after a heartbreaking 69-68 defeat to the Mapua Cardinals last Saturday, a Pirates victory over the Stags in their 11 a.m. battle should help Lyceum stay in the hunt.
A win will send the Pirates to joint fifth with Letran (7-8) and closer to No. 4 Emilio Aguinaldo College (7-7).
College of St. Benilde and Mapua remained immovable at Nos. 1 and 2 with 12-2 and 11-3 marks, respectively.
Defending champion San Beda is at No. 3 with a 9-5 card.
For the Stags, at 4-10, it’s practically do-or-die as they need to sweep their last four games, including this one, to fan their Last Four bid.
“Gagawin namin iyong pinaka-best namin dahil sabi nga whatever happens, kung anong outcome ng results, hindi na tayo aabot pero laruin natin, ibigay natin ng magandang laban ang bawat team na makakalaban natin,” San Sebastian coach Arvin Bonleon said. “Then sabi ko sa kanila, alam ko mahirap kunin ang bawat panalo sa NCAA dahil hindi siya first time dahil nag-pro (league) ako nag-co-coach nahirapan ako mag-adjust pero sabi ko, sige lang kaya naman natin basta tiyagain lang natin.
“Basta hindi ibinibigay ng bawat kalaban natin (iyong panalo), kunin natin ang panalo. Hindi puwedeng mag-5o percent lang tayo, dapat 101 percent,” he added.
Ditto with Jose Rizal University and Arellano University, which cross paths at 2:30 p.m.
The Chiefs tote a 5-9 slate while the Bombers carry a 4-10 record, and both can’t afford to lose another game if they want to stay in the race.
