Letran, SBC zero in on ‘incentives’

Defending champion Letran and San Beda seek to solidify their place atop as the two take on San Sebastian and Perpetual Help, respectively, today in the 82nd NCAA basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Knights and the Lions are tied at the helm on 9-1 (win-loss) slates while the Stags and the Altas are at fifth spot on 3-7 cards.

A win for Letran and San Beda would push the two closer from clinching the twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four while a loss would fan the hopes of San Sebastian and Perpetual Help of making the semifinals.

The Knights, the Lions and the Philippine Christian U Dolphins (8-3) have already made it through the semis, leaving the Mapua Cardinals, the Stags, the Altas and the Jose Rizal Bombers (3-8) in the chase for the last berth.

But for San Sebastian, Perpetual Help and Jose Rizal to stay alive, the three would need to sweep their remaining elimination round games and hope Mapua disintegrate.

Meaning, if the Cardinals beat the Knights next week, the Bombers would be out.

Another win over the Lions on Aug. 30 would do the same on the Stags and the Altas, completing the semis next.

But the way things are going, it looks like Letran and San Beda are teams on a mission.