Games Today
(The Arena, San Juan City)
8 a.m. – EAC vs Perpetual (Jrs)
10 a.m. – Malayan vs Arellano (Jrs)
12 noon – EAC vs Perpetual (Srs)
2 p.m. – Mapua vs Arellano (Srs)
4 p.m. – Letran vs CSB (Srs)
6 p.m. – Letran vs LSGH (Jrs)
The race for the remaining Final Four berth intensifies today as Arellano and Letran gun for at least a playoff for the ticket against separate rivals in the 93rd NCAA men’s basketball at The Arena in San Juan City.
Toting identical 8-9 win-loss cards, victories for the Chiefs and Knights would fuel their respective semifinal bids.
Last year’s runnerup Arellano collides with lowly Mapua at 2 p.m. while Letran squares off with College of St. Benilde at 4 p.m.
Despite riding a three-game winning run, the Chiefs face a daunting task of keeping their momentum going with the absence of spitfire Kent Salado.
Salado tore his right medial collateral ligament (MCL) in their 85-79 win over San Sebastian last Oct. 10 that forced him out of the season.
Though the Chiefs felt his absence in a 62-52 triumph over University of Perpetual Help last Thursday, the predicament brought the team together.
“Sinabi ko naman sa kanila, with our without Kent, we’ll play and do our best. Maganda yung response nila sa challenge na ito. Sana ma-sustain namin,” said Arellano coach Jerry Codiñera.
Lervin Flores and Rence Alcoriza banner the Chiefs anew after combining for 35 points over Perpetual post-Salado, while Levi Dela Cruz, Michael Canete, and Zach Nichols are slated to provide ample support.
In the other pairing, Letran tries to come back rejuvenated from a weeklong respite and end their two-game slide against St. Benilde, which is looking to end the season with a bang at 4-13.
The trio of JP Calvo, Bong Quinto and Rey Nambatac will form the Knights’ core against the Blazers’ own Clement Leutcheu, JJ Domingo, and Unique Naboa.
Meanwhile, eliminated teams EAC (6-11) and Perpetual (4-12) meet at 12 noon.