Games Monday (The Arena, San Juan)
10 a.m. — Arellano vs JRU (Jrs)
12 noon — UPHD vs SSC-R (Jrs)
2 p.m. — Arellano vs JRU (Srs)
4 p.m. — UPHD vs SSC-R (Srs)

Already assured of a semifinal slot, defending champion San Sebastian College tries to cement its hold of second spot when it battles winless University of Perpetual Help Monday in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

The Stags collide with the Altas at 4 p.m. with the hope nailing their 11th win and staying within range of the unbeaten San Beda College (11-0).

The Stags are coming off an inspiring 64-59 victory over Jose Rizal University Wednesday, and they are fancied to assert their might against the Altas, who remain winless in 10 matches.

Against the Bombers, the Stags struggled, but came through with a scintillating run that allowed them to erase a 13-point fourth quarter deficit en route to the win that kept them at solo second.

San Sebastian coach Ato Agustin wasn’t too happy with their scary win and even warned his boys that they should forget about their back-to-back title aspirations if they will play lousy again.

“We can’t always play like that because we know what we’ll happen,” said Agustin, who is set to leave the Recto-based school after the season to assume the head-coaching job with San Miguel Beer in the PBA.

“Against Perpetual, we shouldn’t be relaxed because this is a team hungry for a win,” added Agustin, whose squad also beat the Altas, 74-69, on July 2 during their first round meeting in the eliminations. “We can’t underestimate anyone.”

Expected to be in the forefront of the Stags offensive are leading MVP contender Calvin Abueva, Ronald Pascual, Ian Sangalang, Pamboy Raymundo and Gilbert Bulawan.

The Heavy Bombers try to get back on the winning track when they face a dangerous Arellano University Chiefs side at 2 p.m.

The loss to the Stags, dropped the Bombers to an 8-3 card or just a game ahead of the rallying Mapua Cardinals, who notched their seventh in 11 outings with a 74-65 win over the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals Friday.

The Chiefs likewise were coming off a painful 69-71 loss to the St. Benilde Blazers also Friday that sent the former reeling to their seventh setback against four triumphs.