Lions, Chiefs dispute Final Four No. 1 seed

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda and Arellano U clash for the third time in the season, this time disputing the top seeding in the Final Four of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

The Lions beat the Chiefs, 91-81, at the close of the double round elims last week, forcing a tie at No. 1 and setting today’s 4 p.m. encounter for the slot San Beda had held the past decade.

The winner will take on No. 4 Perpetual Help and the loser will face No. 3 Mapua in the semis starting Thursday. For taking the top two spots, San Beda and Arellano need only to win once to arrange a best-of-three showdown for the crown.

Arellano U coach Jerry Codiñera said he is not thinking of the top seeding in the semis but it would be a big boost if they’ll get into the Final Four with a victory today..

“Of course, we would want to play in the Final Four coming off a nice win,” said Codiñera.

SBC mentor Jamike Jarin, on the other hand, hopes to keep the school’s tradition as No. 1 after the elims even as he vowed to re-claim the crown for the Mendiola-based school.

“I’ve been coaching here for just two years but I heard it’s the school tradition,” said Jarin, who will again bank on Jayvee Mocon, who pulled off double-double performance in their last two matches to keep the Lions on track for a shot at No. 1.

The 6-3 Mocon has normed 16.5 points and 14 rebounds in their last two games, dropping 14 points and 13 boards in an 84-75 win over Perpetual Help and 19 markers and 15 rebounds against the Chiefs.

“I always try to play my best and help my team win,” said the 21-year-old Mocon.

Arellano top gun Jio Jalalon, meanwhile, said a win today will further build up their confidence in their bid for the championship.

“Our end-goal is to win the championship and I think it will help us a lot if we go to the Final Four as the top seed,” said Jalalon.

In the juniors division, Arellano U and La Salle-Greenhills face off at 2 p.m. for the No. 3 seeding after ending up tied at 13-5.

The winner plays No. 2 Mapua (15-3) while the loser clashes with No. 1 San Beda (17-1) in the Final Four.