After 98 days of grueling hard court action, the NCAA Seniors Basketball tournament comes down to the Final Four.
Compared to last season that had six teams scratching and clawing for the four semifinal slots, this year’s top four was actually the same four teams that came out on top in the first round.
The San Beda College Red Lions (#1, 14-4) and the Arellano University Chiefs (#2, 14-4), two of the pre-season favorites to win it all, will hold the twice-to-beat edge. The Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals (#3, 12-6) have scored back-to-back Final Four appearances. The surprise of the season, though, are the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas (#4, 11-7), a team that failed to make the post-season a year ago.
Unfortunately for the two lower seeded teams, the top two seeds were able to get the match-up they wanted, as the Red Lions and the Chiefs have swept their regular season series against the Altas and the Cardinals respectively.
But still, the post-season is a different story, as stars are born and legends are made in the playoffs.
Welcome to the NCAA Season 92 Seniors Basketball Final Four Survival Kit!
#1 San Beda Red Lions vs. #4 Perpetual Altas
San Beda swept the elimination round series 2-0
It’s a clash of styles as the best offensive team takes on the best defensive team.
Even if the Altas have held their opponents down to a league-best 64.7 points per game, they have not successfully done so against the potent San Beda offense. The Red Lions lambasted the Perpetual wall, dropping 88 points in their first round encounter and 80 points in the second round to secure the twice-to-beat advantage.
In their second round encounter, the Red Lions allowed Cameroonian center Bright Akhuetie to have his way, scoring 29 points and grabbing 18 rebounds, but shackled the backcourt, forcing 23 turnovers that were converted into 17 points.
Speaking of Akhuetie, his recent one-game school suspension might also come into play on Friday as it might affect the on-court chemistry of the team. Fortunately for the Perpetual faithful, the 20-year-old big man and assistant coach Nic Omorogbe have reportedly made amends for the off-court dispute they had, much to the chagrin of the Donald Tankoua-less San Beda frontline.
It will be tough for the Altas to match up against the Red Lions man-for-man. The depth of the San Beda backcourt, headlined by the troika of Robert Bolick, Davon Potts, and AC Soberano, could prove to be too much for Gab Dagangon, Daryl Singontiko, GJ Ylagan, and AJ Coronel.
Prognosis: San Beda advance to the Finals after one game.
#2 Arellano Chiefs vs. #3 Mapua Cardinals
Arellano swept the elimination round series 2-0
In a match-up made in backcourt heaven, the best backcourt tandem in collegiate basketball will square off against the Intramuros’ guard agency.
During the regular season, the Cagayan de Oro duo of Kent Salado and Jio Jalalon were able to have their way against CJ Isit, Andrew Estrella, Darell Menina, and Laurenz Victoria with Salado dropping 20 points in their first outing while Jalalon torched them in the second round to the tune of 35 makers.
For Mapua to take this series, though, the frontline of Allwell Oraeme and Joseph Eriobu need to assert their might against Lervin Flores and the thin big man rotation of the Chiefs. Moreover, the two need to be composed and anchor Mapua’s defense once Arellano’s patented blitz happens.
An upset will be a possibility, however, if both Flores and Julius Cadavis don’t click in Game One of the series.
In addition, Dioncee Holts must return to his mid-elimination round form in this series before it becomes too late.
Prognosis: Arellano advance to the Finals after two high-scoring games.
