Knights vs Stags for last F4 seat

Graduating Letran star Rey Nambatac hopes to save his and the Knights’ season as they slug it out with the San Sebastian Stags in a knockout match for the last Final Four berth in the NCAA seniors basketball at the MOA Arena in Pasay today.

The Muralla-based squad actually staved off elimination after outlasting Arellano U, 7068, in the first playoff for the fourth semis berth last Friday with Nambatac and the Knights upbeat of their chances against the Stags in their 3:30 p.m. clash.

“I don’t want to lose and I will do everything to help my team win,” said the 23-year-old Nambatac, who fired 25 points against the Chiefs.

“But if it comes to that, I want to give it all and go down fighting,” added the Letran standout, one of the top collegiate players in this year’s PBA Draft.

Nambatac also has a score to settle with the Stags, who dealt them an embarrassing 95-64 beating last Sept. 26.

“We’re really looking forward to our game against San Sebastian because of that loss,” said Nambatac.

Letran barely edged SSC, 79-75, in overtime in the first round elims last Aug. 15.

Expect San Sebastian to lean on its defense to slow down Nambatac and the Knights with the Stags ending up third in points allowed at 70.2, next only to San Beda’s league-best 65.8 and Jose Rizal’s 69.

“If we’ll play defense as hard as we did against them the last time we played, we’ll have a chance,” said SSC coach Egay Macaraya.