Red Lions eye semis entry

Games today:

(FilOil EcoOil Centre)

3 p.m. — San Beda vs Perpetual

5 p.m. — JRU vs Arellano

Defending champion San Beda University looks to be the first team to enter the Final Four as it faces University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in the quarterfinals of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 102 men’s basketball tournament today at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

Tip-off starts at 3 p.m., with the twice-to-beat Red Lions aching to finish off the Altas in one fell swoop.

Repeat-seeking San Beda finished on top of Group A with a 10-3 win-loss record.

“The top-two spot is what we’re really targeting because of the twice-to-beat spot, that it’s very important,” head coach Yuri Escueta said.

Meanwhile, Perpetual, who finished fourth in Group B, had to beat San Sebastian College, 79-73, in the play-in tournament to earn a seat at the postseason.

Altas head coach Olsen Racelac is confident of his players’ character and composure forged by tough challenges the team has faced throughout the season.

“I think we have the most overtime games this season, but it’s a chance and opportunity for them to grow because of those games. They just need to be ready to accept whatever criticism or views that we will share with them,” Racela said.