San Beda University and De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde battle for the third spot as the newly-introduced play-in tournament of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 97 men's basketball tournament begins at the Filoil Flying V Center on Sunday.
The third seed Red Lions (7-2) and the fourth seed Blazers (5-4) lock horns at 12 p.m. The winner takes the third spot while the loser would have to battle the winner between the fifth seed University of Perpetual Help System Dalta and sixth seed Arellano University for the last semis berth.
San Beda is coming off a 56-59 loss to rival Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Friday, a defeat that relegated the Red Lions to third place. Had they beaten the Knights, the Red Lions would have been the top seed team with twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four.
Mapua University also finished the eliminations with a 7-2 slate, but it is slotted in second place for beating San Beda, 68-54, last April 23. Thus, the Red Lions were bumped to third place and would have to go through this play-in tourney to clinch a Final Four spot.
This is the first time that San Beda finished outside the top in the eliminations since 2005, but Red Lions head coach Boyet Fernandez believes that they are still in a good position.
"I still believe that we have a good chance. At least I realized that we are a good team with the way we played tonight and hopefully we continue to improve on that," said Fernandez moments after San Beda lost to Letran.
"I'm sure my boys will be ready for everything, especially we're gonna play Saint Benilde right away on Sunday so just a one-day off. I have so much respect for coach Charles (Tiu) and I know they'll be ready, they almost beat us last time."
Fernandez was talking about the Red Lions' 67-63 win over the Blazers last April 26. In that contest, San Beda star guard James Kwekuteye had to drain a clutch trey to give his team a 3-point cushion.
Luck was even on the Red Lions' side as Blazers' Robi Nayve missed all his three free throws, paving the way for Peter Alfaro to seal the win for San Beda by splitting his charities.
"Tough luck for us at Benilde. Just when we finally make it to the Final Four, the new NCAA play-in forces us to have to win an extra game to clinch it... and we end up having to play San Beda," wrote Benilde coach Charles Tiu in a Twitter post on Friday.
"If there are any CSB alums out there please come watch us at 12 on Sunday at the Filoil Arena!"
San Beda, Benilde battle for third spot as play-in begins - The Manila Times
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