Games on Wednesday (The Arena, San Juan)
10 a.m. — Perpetual vs Letran (Jrs)
11:45 a.m. — SBC vs JRU (Jrs)
2 p.m. — Perpetual vs Letran (Srs)
4 p.m. — SBC vs JRU (Srs)

Defending three-time champion San Beda battles Jose Rizal University in a match that could boost or derail its bid for a twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four of the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Game time is set at 4 p.m. with the Red Lions out to extend their winning streak over the Bombers since their tensely-fought title best-of-three showdown last year. They also beat the Bombers, 96-81, in the first round.

Clashing in the first game at 2 p.m. are also-ran Perpetual Help and fourth-running Letran, which is hoping to pull away from Arellano University – its closest pursuer in the race for the last semis spot.

A win by the Knights will give them a three-game lead over the Chiefs who tote a 7-7 win-loss card.

Though the Knights are coming off an 84-66 loss to the Bombers last week, they remain the heavy favorites owing to their 73-68 win over the Altas in the first round.

“We need to get this win for us to make it to the Final Four. This win is very important,” said Letran mentor Louie Alas.

Only one game separate the Lions (13-1) and the Bombers (12-2), thus making today’s tiff a crucial one.

If the Bombers beat the Lions, they could forge a tie at second spot, behind league leader San Sebastian, which streaked to its 14th straight win last Monday at the expense of St. Benilde, 94-61.

But if the Lions prevail, they will be in a better position to clinch the Final Four bonus although they still have to win their remaining three games, including one against the Stags, who dealt them their lone defeat this season.

The Lions do not intend to lower their guards down despite being on an 11-game winning streak, which they capped with a 96-69 thrashing of Perpetual Help last week.

“In our next games, we’ll have to raise the level of our game. Definitely our next assignment (against JRU) will be a tough game,” SBC mentor Frankie Lim said.