Leaders go up vs embattled foes today

Pacesetter Letran College and defending champion Philippine Christian University take on St. Benilde and Perpetual Help, respectively, today as the 81st NCAA Final Four draws near at the Astrodome.

Both the Knights, unbeaten in 10 outings, and the Dolphins, at second spot with a 8-2 (win-loss) slate, are already assured of semifinal berths while the Blazers and Altas, tied at distant fifth spot with 3-7 slates, are in need of a sweep to make the cut.

The Letran-St.Benilde duel is set at 2 p.m. while the PCU-Perpetual match is at 4 p.m.

Already assured of a twice-to-beat edge in the semis, Letran would be focusing on a rare sweep of the elimination round.

A sweep would mean the Knights, who last won the title two years ago, automatically barge into the best-of-three finals while the rest of the semifinalists battle it out in a stepladder format.

"It would be historic if we can do that but it would really be difficult," said Letran coach Louie Alas. "But our main focus right now is to win the championship again."

It will not be easy though since St. Benilde is all out for a win that would not only end seven-game losing run but also rekindle its Final Four hopes.

PCU, for its part, seeks to keep its place at second spot and end in that position after the elimination that would give it the other twice-to-beat advantage.

And PCU coach Junel Baculi knows they can’t afford to be complacent in their campaign.

"Every game now will really be crucial for us kasi palapit na ng palapit ang Final Four and unti-unti na ring nakakalapit ang ibang teams," said Baculi, whose charges are barely ahead of the Mapua Cardinals (7-4) and the San Sebastian Stags (6-5).