Lions, Pirates dispute Final Four top seed

Games Tuesday
(Filoil Flying V Centre, San Juan)
10 a.m. – CSB vs JRU (jrs)
12 p.m. – AU vs MU (jrs)
2 p.m. – CSB vs JRU (srs)
4 p.m. – AU vs MU (srs)

MANILA, Philippines – Lyceum of the Philippines University coach Topex Robinson has always yearned to play San Beda, whether it’s in the elimination round or in the finals because it has never failed to bring out the best of them.

The Pirates, who are currently at second with a 15-2 (win-loss) record, will play their last elimination round games against the Lions, the solo leaders with a 15-1 card, on Thursday, with the winner clinching the top seeding in the Final Four of the 94th NCAA men's basketball tournament.

It was viewed by many as a sneak preview to this year’s finale.

But for Robinson, he likened it to a fan playing against their idols.

“It’s going to be a big opportunity for us to learn to grow because they have a huge program,” said Robinson. “San Beda is like our idol, we all aspire to be like them so it’s going to be good fight with so much competition and respect as well.

“It will be a dogfight and exciting for basketball,” he added.

The first time these two teams met this year, it was LPU which emerged the winner — a 73-66 triumph on August 21 with reigning MVP CJ Perez making the most crucial shots of the game.

Of course, the Pirates also swept the Lions and the eliminations last season to advance straight to the finals where the former were eventually swept by the latter in two games in the finals.

Meanwhile, College of St. Benilde (8-8) clashes with Jose Rizal (3-14) at 2 p.m. while Arellano U (5-11) and Mapua (5-12) face off at 4 p.m. in a pair of non-bearing games Tuesday at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

The other Final Four entrants are Letran (13-4) and Perpetual Help (11-6).