TWO rookie coaches. Two gutsy teams. One last slot.
College of St. Benilde and Perpetual Help square off today in a knockout duel for the last Final Four slot in the 97th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.
The match is set at 3 p.m., with the winner advancing to the semifinals opposite defending champion and No. 1 Letran, which is armed with a twice-to-beat advantage.
The other Final Four pairing pits No. 2 Mapua University, also with a win-once incentive, against third seed San Beda University.
The semifinals begin on Sunday at the same venue.
First-year Blazers coach Charles Tiu admitted his wards will have their hands full in their bid to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2002.
“It’s going to be a tough game for us. They’re (Altas) on a roll right now with a lot of confidence,” Tiu said.
“They have a lot of individual players who can score. We hope we can defend them, that will be key for us. The elimination game means nothing now,” he added.
CSB absorbed a sorry 57-63 loss to the Red Lions last Sunday that could have clinched for the Blazers the No. 3 berth.
Will Gozum, Robi Nayve, and Miggy Corteza are expected to carry the fight for CSB.
The Altas came off a 59-52 decision over the Arellano University Chiefs also last Sunday to keep alive their Final Four bid.
Like Tiu, Perpetual strategist Myk Saguiguit is also raring to steer the Las Piñas-based cagers back to Final Four in his first season calling the shots after the team, then under Frankie Lim, fell short in the last cage wars in 2019.
“It’s a matter of will. Kung sino iyong mas may gusto na manalo iyon ang papalarin,” Saguiguit said.
“Mataas ang morale ng players. Hindi na iniintindi iyong pagod at sakit ng katawan.”
The Altas will lean on Kim Aurin, Jielo Razon, Lean Martel, Mark Omega, and Jeff Egan.
CSB turned back Perpetual 83-73 in their elimination round battle last April 9.
