Altas press bid vs Stags; Red Lions face Blazers

MANILA, Philippines — University of Perpetual Help System Dalta and College of St. Benilde race for a spot in the Final Four as they take on separate opponents today in the 94th NCAA basketball tournament at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan.

Currently at fourth with a 9-5 (win-loss) record, the Altas face off the already-eliminated San Sebastian Stags (4-10) at 2 p.m. while the Blazers, who are at No. 5 with an 8-6 slate, collide with the San Beda Lions, the reigning champions, at 4 p.m.

The Las Piñas-based dribblers edged the Stags, 78-76, on a game-winner by Prince Eze in the first round on Aug. 8 at the Perpetual Help Gym and should be coming into the game eyeing nothing less than a win to stay inside the magic four.

Perpetual Help will also be coming in riding the crest of a four-game winning streak capped by an 88-71 rout of Mapua Friday.

“We just want to get as many wins as we can and try to stay at least in the top four,” said Perpetual Help coach Frankie Lim, whose charges will play Emilio Aguinaldo on Oct. 5, Letran on Oct. 12 and San Beda on Oct. 23.