Letran eyes 4th win vs SSC; San Beda seeks redemption

Games Today (The Arena, San Juan) 2 p.m. – Lyceum vs San Beda 4 p.m. – Letran vs San Sebastian

barrassing defeat.

A win by the Knights would enable them to join the rampaging University of Perpetual Help Altas on top at 4-0.

But the Knights are quite impressive – if not more brilliant – on those wins.

Anchored by the deadly backcourt tandem of Mark Cruz and Rey Nambatac, the Knights have won their first three games by an average of 19.3 points per game.

That alone speaks of the team’s consistency and resilience.

Also credit the team’s early success to drillmaster Aldin Ayo who is now starting to make a name in the basketball community with his own brand of coaching.

In his so-called “house of chaos”, Ayo challenges his wards to be physically and mentally ready at all times saying he wants to bring the best of out of them.

That strategy is doing wonders for the team so far.

But Letran is not just about Cruz and Nambatac as almost everyone that Ayo puts in delivers.

Case in point, Cruz and Nambatac had to sit in the final stretch of their game against San Beda, the time where the Red Lions were making one last push.

But Ayo found gems in reserve guards like JP Calvo and McJour Luib as they dealt the Red Lions with killer blows to stay unblemished in the tournament.

“That’s the nice thing about this team. Everyone can play. Everyone can start. This isn’t just about one or two players, everyone has a chance to help the team,” said Ayo, whose appointment as the Knights’ new head coach received heat in the preseason.

“I’m just taking the criticism and using it as a tool to motivate ourselves and the players, to try and prove them wrong. But there’s still a long way to go,” he added.