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TOP dogs San Beda University and Lyceum of the Philippines University target an easy route to a Finals rematch against University of Perpetual Help and Letran, respectively, in the semifinals of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 94 seniors basketball tournament on Friday at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The defending champion Red Lions, who finished the elimination round with a league-best 17-1 won-lost record, will try to impose their twice-to-beat advantage over the fourth-placed Altas (11-7) at 4 p.m.
Serving as the Final Four opener is the equally exciting matchup of last year’s Finals runner-up Pirates (15-3) against No. 3 seed Knights (13-5) at 1:30 p.m.
San Beda Head Coach Boyet Fernandez said he has prepared his Red Lions for a potential uprising by the Altas.
The Altas were responsible for tainting the Pirates’ 30-game win in the eliminations, with 6-foot-10 Prince Eze nailing the game-winning bucket in their second-round showdown.
“We know that we’re facing a very good team in the semis. We just have to be ready,” Fernandez said.
In its last elimination assignment last Tuesday, San Beda beat Perpetual Help, 80-72.
San Sebastian’s Michael Calisaan, meanwhile, was named Collegiate Sports Press Corps NCAA Player of the Week
Calisaan left a lasting impression in his final game for San Sebastian last Tuesday by leading the Stags to a 91-63 romp of the Arellano University Chiefs.
“Surely, we will miss Michael. His leadership is the team will miss,” San Sebastian Head Coach Egay Macaraya said of Calisaan, who posted 24 points and 12 rebounds against the Chiefs.
Calisaan, who also collected three assists and three steals, was one of the few bright spots for the team and gave the Stags a preview of what they will be missing beginning next season.
The 23-year-old Calisaan was at his best in the middle quarters, where he scored 20 points, including 14 in the third period.
He played a key role as well in second quarter, where San Sebastian dominated Arellano, 35-12, to break the game wide open.
San Sebastian wrapped up its season in sixth place with a 6-12 record.
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