FINAL FOUR
Three-peat seeking San Beda College and Jose Rizal University try to arrange a finals showdown when they gun for championship berths in the 84th NCAA men's basketball tournament Final Four today at the Astrodome in Pasay City.
For the third straight season, San Beda and Mapua collide in the semifinals at 2 p.m., while JRU and Letran cross paths for the second straight season at 4 p.m.
The Cardinals and the Heavy Bombers hope that things will be different this year.
By holding 'twice-to-beat' incentives, the Red Lions and the Heavy Bombers need to win once to arrange a best-of-three championship series starting Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Despite being heavy favorites, San Beda, which finished with a league-best 11-3 after the elimination round, can't afford to be complacent against a Mapua squad aiming for respect.
The Cardinals and the Red Lions split their head-to-head in the elims.
"Mabigat kalaban ang Mapua, we have to play hard if we want to make it again to the finals," said San Beda coach Frankie Lim.
The Cardinals will rely on their slow break type of game just like they did when they downed the Red Lions, 53-48, in the second round.
"We will bring back our slow break game sa Final Four. Kung paano sila (San Beda) magiging pasensiya, we will see," said Mapua coach Leo Isaac.
Sam Ekwe, who scored only four points on 1-of-4 shooting in the Red Lions' 65-63 win over the Knights last week, hopes to bounce back mightily.
Ekwe, who is playing his final year for San Beda, will have to reassert his dominance on the paint.
Pro-bound Kelvin dela Peña, Allan Mangahas and Ian Mazo will spearhead the Cardinals offense against Red Lions snipers Ogie Menor, Pong Escobal and Borgie Hermida.
The emphatic 69-53 win against Letran in the playoff for the No. 2 spot last Wednesday is not an assurance for Jose Rizal that they can repeat.
"I have high respect on (Knights) coach Louie Alas, they will find ways to bounce back and win. I expect a tough fight," said Heavy Bombers mentor Ariel Vanguardia.
Known for playing with resiliency, Letran will give their all to force a 'rubber match'.
"We have to do things one step at a time. We have to believe in ourselves despite the twice-to-beat disadvantage," said Alas.
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