Riding high, Letran Knights eye solo 3rd
Games Today (Letran gym, Intramuros) 2 p.m. – Letran vs CSB-LSGH (Jrs) 4 p.m. – Letran vs CSB (Srs)
Letran tries to maintain its fiery form when it guns for solo third place against College of St. Benilde today in the 93rd NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Letran gym in Intramuros, Manila.
Inspired by an 82-75 win over last year’s finalist Arellano Chiefs two days back, the Knights hope to follow it up in their 4 p.m. confrontation with the Blazers.
A triumph would not only improve Letran's 2-3 win-loss tally at joint sixth place, but also propel them behind frontrunners Lyceum (5-0) and defending champion San Beda (4-1).
Emilio Aguinaldo College, Jose Rizal University and University of Perpetual Help are half-a-game ahead of Letran for third to fifth places with identical 2-2 cards.
Letran coach Jeff Napa seeks the same collective effort from his stalwarts in their morale-boosting victory over Arellano that snapped their twogame slump.
“Yun naman ang kulang sa amin the previous games eh, yung susuporta sa starters,” said Napa. “Right now, at least may nag-step up na. Maganda na ang resulta.”
Still, Napa expects consistent leadership from main men Jeo Ambohot, Rey Nambatac and Jeremiah Taladua after the trio combined for 43 points, 36 rebounds and eight assists the last time.
But St. Benilde could not be intimidated easily.
Despite coming off an embarrassing 98-55 defeat from powerhouse Lyceum that pushed them at the bottom with 1-3, the Blazers are optimistic to regain their bearings and end their three-game losing skid.
However, the Taft-based squad first needs to limit its errors after committing a season-worst 40 turnovers against the Pirates.
More muscle must also come from Unique Naboa, Clement Leutcheu, and Kendrix Belgica in order to stop Letran's offensive plays.
In juniors play, CSB-La Salle Greenhills (4-0) aims to protect its clean slate when it collides with the Letran Squires (2-3) in the 2 p.m. curtainraiser.