San Beda seeks ninth straight Final 4 vs EAC

MANILA, Philippines -  San Beda tries to formalize its ninth straight Final Four stint in the NCAA as it takes on an undermanned Emilio Aguinaldo College side today even as Letran steps up its backdoor drive against ousted San Sebastian at The Arena in San Juan. 

The Lions waylaid the Lyceum Pirates, 78-54, last Aug. 30 to stay on top of the 10-team field with a 10-2 card, and another victory over the Generals in their 2 p.m. showdown puts them into the semis ahead of everybody else.

“That’s first and foremost in our mind, to continue the tradition and advance to the Final Four,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez, also aiming to steer the school to a fifth straight crown and eighth in the last nine years.

Nigerian Ola Adeogun hopes to match or better his season-best 28-point effort he spiked with 16 rebounds and two blocks in powering San Beda to the lopsided win over Lyceum.

The 6-8 Adeogun is expected to dominate in the absence of Cameroonian Noube Happi, out with back problems.

While San Beda seeks a spot in the Final Four, resurgent Letran aims to stay in the semis hunt as it duels with San Sebastian at 4 p.m.

At sixth with a 5-7 card, the Knights need to pile up wins in their last six games to gain a crack at a playoff for the last semis berth.

Arellano and Jose Rizal U are tied with 9-4 marks while a surging St. Benilde is half-a-game behind at 9-5 with Perpetual Help just a shade behind at fifth with an 8-5 slate.