Games Today (The Arena, San Juan)
9 a.m.- Mapua vs Letran (jrs)
10:45 a.m.- CSB vs Arellano (jrs)
12:30 p.m.- San Beda vs EAC (jrs)
2:15 p.m.- SSC vs LPU (jrs)
4 p.m.- Jose Rizal vs Perpetual (jrs)
San Beda shoots for at least a playoff for a twice-to-beat advantage as it squares off with an already-ran Emilio Aguinaldo today in the 92nd NCAA juniors basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Cubs routed the Letran Squires, 96-83, to stay on top with a 14-1 (win-loss) record and should be favored to win over the Brigadiers, who are already out of it all with a 2-12 slate, in their 12:30 p.m. encounter.
Sam Abu Hijle and Joshua Tagala have been leading a San Beda team, which is seeking an unprecedented eighth straight championships, that has been relying on a balanced attack the whole season by averaging 14.3 and 11.5 points, respectively.
“That’s our next goal, to get that twice-to-beat advantage,” said San Beda coach JB Sison.
Also battling San Beda for the important Final Four impressive are Arellano U, St. Benilde-La Salle Greenhills and Mapua, who are at second, third and fourth spots with 13-2, 12-3 and 11-3 cards, respectively.
The Braves and the Junior Blazers, however, could bump off each other out of the tight race as the two collide at 10:45 a.m.
The Robins, for their part, face off the Squires at 9 a.m.
In the other games of the day, San Sebastian (2-12) tackles Lyceum of the Phl U (7-8) at 2:15 p.m. while Jose Rizal (2-12) battles Perpetual Help (4-11) at 4 p.m. in a pair of non-bearing duels. (Kristel Satumbaga)