LYCEUM of the Philippines University hopes to keep its spotless record against Emilio Aguinaldo College in the NCAA seniors’ basketball tournament today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Tip off is at 4 p.m.
The Pirates are a legitimate title contender, having won their first 13 games to secure their first-ever Final Four appearance since joining the the league six years ago. LPU is also assured of the twice-to-beat semis incentive.
The Pirates had a tough time with the Generals in the first round, as they overcame the ejection of coach Topex Robinson to escape with a 97-93 victory.
A victory will put LPU four wins of claiming an outright passage to the championship round with a tremendous thrice-to-beat incentive.
With a 6-7 mark, EAC trails Jose Rizal University and Letran, which is playing San Sebastian in the 2 p.m. curtain raiser, by a full game in the race for the last Final Four berth.
Coach Ariel Sison is hoping that the Generals will give the Pirates everything to handle just like in their first meeting.
The Knights have won their last two games to join the Bombers in third spot at 7-6, as they brace for a tough duel with the Stags, who at 6-6 are eyeing to dislodge their long-time rivals at No. 4.
San Sebastian scored a 73-61 victory over College of Saint Benilde last Thursday to boost its semifinal hopes.
Meanwhile, San Beda College swept the men’s and juniors’ crowns, while Arellano University won its second straight women’s championship in the NCAA badminton tournament.
The Red Smashers unseated Letran, 2-1, in the men’s finale and in the juniors’ tie, 2-0, while the Lady Chiefs bested Lyceum of the Philippines University, 2-1, in the women’s clash at the Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
James Choo hacked out a 21-15, 21-11 victory over Jeffrey Orsolino in the deciding singles to seal the championship for San Beda.
It was a come-from-behind win for the Red Smashers, as the Knights actually took the first singles, with Marvin Sabarne beating Jovan Cruz, 21-14, 21-12, before Jade Carillo and Haniel Cagampan leveled the tie with a 21-15, 23-21 win over Neptali Pineda and Joma Martinez in doubles play.
Choo was named the tournament MVP
It was a double victory for San Beda, as its juniors squad also ruled the roost, with John Bryan Bernardo emerging as the MVP.
Back-to-back MVP Zyrish Camba topped Loverly Magallano, 21-16, 21-16, in the first singles to put Arellano ahead.
The Lady Pirates’ pair of Joy Tonogbanua and Betina Felipe prevailed over Jackielyn Garabel and Rhianca Lawis, 21-16, 21-11, in doubles action to stay alive before the Lady Chiefs clinched courtesy of Elena Arriola, a 21-17, 10-21, 21-10 victor over Nazaren Culiao in the second singles.