NCAA Power Rankings: San Beda Tightens Grip At Number 1

The closer the league gets to the playoffs, the more exciting the final four race gets. And the race got even tighter this week, with three teams – Jose Rizal University, Perpetual Help and Letran – fighting for the last two spots in the playoffs. With the playoff hunt in full swing, and some of college ball’s brightest stars putting in some incredible individual performances, this week was certainly an eventful one in the NCAA – and in our weekly Power Ranking.

1. San Beda Red Lions

(Overall record: 11-2; Last week: 1st)

The Red Lions maintained its lofty standing with another blowout win, this time against JRU. And San Beda got the job done through excellent defense once again. They held the Heavy Bombers to just 45 points, giving JRU a total of 82 points in their two meetings against the Red Lions combined. In the second round, they’ve conceded just 52.5 points per game. They only scored 67 points against the Bombers – slightly below the league average of 71.5 – but it was more than enough as they clinched their fifth consecutive win and their ninth in the last 10 games.

2. San Sebastian Stags

(Overall record: 11-3; Last week: 2nd)

The Stags seem to have put their struggles firmly behind them. They’ve won their last two games by huge margins (20 and 15 points), including one this week against Mapua behind an unbelievable 21-point, 20-rebound, 10-assist performance from resident superstar Calvin Abueva. But they also proved they weren’t a one-man team, with Ian Sangalang posting a very impressive 28 points and 10 rebounds in the game as well. An easy patch in the schedule has helped the Stags right the ship, but they’ll have to prove they can sustain it as they close out the eliminations with very tough games against Letran, JRU, Perpetual and San Beda.

3. Letran Knights

(Overall record: 8-6; Last week: 4th)

This year’s hosts are still half a game behind both JRU and Perpetual in the standings, but with both of their rivals struggling in the second round, Letran is looking poised to make a serious challenge for one of the last two spots in the final four. The Knights have won four of their last five games, with their lone defeat being a close decision to the league-leading Red Lions. Behind the return of center Raymond Almazan and a breakout week from Kevin Alas (who scored 30 and 35 points in games against Lyceum and Saint Benilde this week), Letran certainly looks like the hottest of the three teams firmly in the hunt for the semifinals.

4. Perpetual Help Altas

(Overall record: 8-5; Last week: 5th)

The Altas have been up-and-down in the second round, following a loss to Letran (which is quickly catching up in the standings) with a win over then third-place JRU. This week, they add another curveball by dropping a two-point decision to the lower-ranked EAC Generals. They’ve got a tough schedule looming late so Perpetual will need to hope they can put some separation between them and their fellow final four hopefuls when they battle Arellano and Mapua this week and cellar-dweller Lyceum before closing out the elims against San Beda and San Sebastian.

5. JRU Heavy Bombers

(Overall record: 8-5; Last week: 3rd)

JRU dropped their second round match against San Beda, 67-45, this week. It’s the third loss in four games for the Bombers, which isn’t a great sign for a team that finished the first round tied for first place. But the good news for JRU is that their fate is very much in their hands. If they can get through this week where they have assignments against Lyceum and Saint Benilde, the two teams at the bottom of the standings, they’ll be in great position entering a head-to-head against Letran that could prove instrumental in the final four race. continue reading here