Altas, Bombers go for last Final 4 slot

MANILA, Philippines - Jose Rizal University and Perpetual Help dispute the fourth and last Final Four berth in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament today with the Bombers out to nail their sixth straight semis stint and the Altas seeking an end to a long semis drought at The Arena in San Juan.

The Altas and the Bombers finished tied at No. 4 on 10-8 (win-loss) slates with the winner sealing a semis clash with No. 1 and defending champion San Beda beginning Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

No. 2 San Sebastian and third seed Letran clash for the other finals berth with the Red Lions and the Stags enjoying twice-to-beat edges.

Both teams are coming into the 6 p.m. match all geared up for the big match.

“We concentrated these last few days in preparing against their defense and at the same time what defense are we planning to use against them,” said Perpetual coach Aric del Rosario in Filipino.

Del Rosario said he has already fulfilled his promise to Perpetual to turn the squad from a whipping team into a Final Four contender.

“I told the team owner before I took the job that I will make this team a respectable and feared team and I’ve done that,” said Del Rosario, who is out to steer the Altas to a first semis appearance since 2004. “But the job is not yet done because we want to play in the Final Four.”

While the Altas hope to end a Final Four drought, Jose Rizal tries to stretch its semis run to six.

“It’s going to be do or die for us,” said Jose Rizal mentor Vergel Meneses. “We know we have a tradition to continue and we’re using it as one of our motivations.”

Perpetual Help and Jose Rizal split their first two encounters this year with the former winning the first, 64-59, last July 23, and the latter taking the second, 88-72, last Sept. 3.