At fifth place two full games behind the Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers (7-4), the Knights (5-6) must hurdle the Altas in their 2 p.m. tiff to stay in contention for the fourth and final seat in the semifinals.
But the Knights will also need to beat the St. Benilde Blazers on Monday and the Mapua Cardinals next week and hope the Bombers drop their own three remaining games to snatch the last semis slot.
Leading the pack with a 10-2 win-loss record, San Sebastian, meanwhile, seeks outright claim at a twice-to-beat advantage in the semis as it tangles with Philippine Christian U at 6 p.m.
Both squads are coming off a victory with San Sebastian edging upset-conscious San Beda, 87-85, while PCU showed incredible endgame poise to eliminate Mapua, 88-84, in a pair of pulsating games Monday.
Jim Alfad took charge for the Stags, erupting for eight of his 16 points in the final five minutes of the game, while PBL veteran Bernzon Franco shone brightest among the Blazers.
However, San Sebastian coach Turo Valenzona thinks the team which gets sterling support from its reserve crew will win the SSC-PCU tussle. He said:
San Sebastian boasts of one of the league’s formidable starting fives in Alfad, Christian Coronel, 6-foot-7 Fil-Am Clarke Moore, Roy Falcasantos and Paul Reguerra while PCU has an equally talented starters in Franco, Lot Soriano, Jojo Roque, Alwyn Ilagan and Robert Sanz. — Joey Villar