San Beda and Perpetual face up against separate foes in matches deemed crucial to their respective playoff hopes in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Tuesday, Nov. 21.

The Red Lions, aiming a sweep of their remaining two games to avoid complications to their Final Four bid, hope to pull the rug from under second-running and playoff-bound Lyceum Pirates in the main event at 3:30 p.m. while the Altas try to stave off elimination against the also-ran San Sebastian Stags in the 1:30 p.m. affair.

The results of both games are expected to play vital roles to their chances of catching the last bus to the Final Four especially with the playoff picture now slowly taking its form.

A win for the Red Lions, now sitting at the third spot with a 10-6 record, would have their one foot already inside the playoff door but a loss, on the other hand, could spell disaster as it would leave a window of opportunity for the likes of Jose Rizal University (10-7) and Perpetual (9-8) to get a shot at making the playoffs.

Guys like Jacob Cortez, Yukien Andrada, Jomel Puno and skipper Peter Alfaro aim to prevent that from happening as they try to put a stop to the streaking Pirates who, this time, are looking to get a share of the top spot with Mapua.

Easier said than done, however, with Enoch Valdez, JM Bravo and Shawn Umali looking to give Lyceum a victory and enough momentum heading into the playoffs.

The Altas, meanwhile, would need a win against the Stags to stay in contention and hope for the other teams ahead of them, namely JRU, College of St. Benilde and San Beda, to drop their remaining games to get at least a chance of forcing a tie at the fourth spot and possibly a playoff for the last Final Four seat.

Expect guys like Jielo Razon and Cyrus Nitura to do everything in their power to give the Altas that chance against the Stags who are looking to spoil the party and to end their season strong.