Games on Wednesday (The Arena, San Juan City)
10 a.m. — EAC vs CSB (Jrs)
11:45 a.m. — Arellano vs San Beda (Jrs)
2 p.m. — EAC vs CSB (Srs)
4 p.m. — Arellano vs San Beda (Srs)

Defending champion San Beda tries to join San Sebastian in the Final Four when it collides with Arellano University on Wednesday in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Red Lions are currently second in the standings, and with their 12-1 win-loss card, they only need to win their 4 p.m. clash with the Chiefs to secure the second semifinals slot.

The first semis seat had already been bagged by league leader San Sebastian after the Stags routed Mapua, 101-65, for their 13th straight win last Monday.

The Stags’ 13-0 card topped its previous best of 12-0 elimination round finish they recorded in 1997, the same year they won their fifth straight title, which turned out to be the longest championship run in league history.

Saint Benilde, meanwhile, aims to breathe new life into its Final Four aspiration when it tackles also-ran Emilio Aguinaldo at 2 p.m.

With a 4-8 record, the Blazers still have the chance to make it in the next stage provided that they win all their six remaining games and pray that Letran and the Chiefs lose all their games.

The Lions take the floor today holding an advantage against the Chiefs, whom they downed 102-74 triumph in the first round.

But coach Frankie Lim is not going to take Arellano lightly especially that the Chiefs, who are running fifth with 7-6 card, are in dire need for wins that will shore up their own Final Four bid.

The Chiefs are two-and-a-half game behind the Knights, who tote a 10-4 card.

“We cannot take them for granted since they need every wins to reach the Final Four. We expect them to come out strong. But we will be ready,” said Lim, whose squad crushed the Perpetual Help Altas, 96-69, last week for their 11th straight win.