The race for the Final Four berths in NCAA Season 100 men’s basketball remains intense when the tournament enters the crucial two weeks of the elimination phase starting on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

All remaining teams -- even those clinging to their lives in the bottom standings -- are still in contention for the last two Final Four tickets with hopes of joining early semifinalists College of St. Benilde and last year’s bridesmaid Mapua.

The Blazers and the Cardinals have already secured slots to the next phase with their superior 12-2 and 11-3 win-loss records, with reigning titlist San Beda Red Lions not far behind to join the with their 9-5 card at solo third.

Behind San Beda, though, are squads separated mostly by half games, with Emilio Aguinaldo College at solo fourth with a 7-7 slate, and Letran just a hairline with 7-8.

Lyceum and University of Perpetual Help are also within each other at sixth to seventh places with 6-8 and 6-9 records, respectively, while Arellano one game behind at 5-9.

Jose Rizal University and San Sebastian are at the bottom standings with identical 4-10 cards, and are not giving up from their flickering Final Four hopes.

More scenarios will be open at the resumption of the games on Tuesday, with Lyceum tackling San Sebastian, and JRU battling Arellano.