Reigning three-peat titlist San Beda and last year’s runner-up Jose Rizal collide today in what could make or break their bids for the twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four of the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Lions trounced the Arellano U Chiefs, 83-72, last week to notch their 12th straight victory and 13th overall in 14 games that clinched the former the Final Four berth alongside the San Sebastian Stags, unscathed in 14 games.
The Bombers, for their part, followed suit by downing the Letran Knights in an emphatic 83-66 win Friday to snare their 12th win against two losses.
"It’s always tough playing Jose Rizal," said San Beda coach Frankie Lim, who steered the Mendiola-based dribblers in the last two of their three-peat feats.
"What’s important is that we will go into the game sharp, prepared and a mindset that we will win that game," he added.
The first time these two schools faced each other, the Lions prevailed, 96-81, last Aug. 10 with American behemoth Sudan Daniel firing a career high 31-point effort he spiked with seven blocks and four rebounds.
Jose Rizal was hoping to pit Daniel with its Cameroonian rookie Joe Etame but might abandon that plan as the player has yet to reach tip-top shape after re-injuring a knee that sidelined him most of this season.
Thankfully, the second stringers have been stepping up particularly John Lopez, who dished out his league-best 19 points for the Bombers in their previous triumph.
"If I could draw huge efforts from my big men again, we’ll have a chance at containing, if not stopping Sudan Daniel," said Jose Rizal mentor Ariel Vanguardia.
Meanwhile, the Knights seek a win that would clinch them at least a playoff for the fourth and last Final Four slot as they square off with the already ousted Perpetual Help Altas at 2 p.m.
