Letran, Arellano aim to boost NCAA semis bids

Manila Bulletin -

Letran and Arellano University try to boost their respective Final Four bids when they battle separate rivals on Wednesday in the second round of eliminations in the 85th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Knights lock horns with the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals in the opener at 2 p.m., with neither team having an advantage owing to their close encounter during the first round.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, face the College of St. Benilde Blazers at 4 p.m. with Arellano bidding to extend its run to four straight wins.

Both the Knights and the Chiefs sport 5-4 win-loss slates and victories today will give them a piece of fourth spot behind San Sebastian (10-0), San Beda (8-1) and Jose Rizal (8-2).

The Knights nipped the Generals, 85-84, in their first round encounter last Aug. 5 and Letran coach Louie Alas is wary of their rivals today.

"They (Generals) may be down in the standings, but they are capable of pulling an upset. We cannot be complacent against them," said Alas, who last steered the Knights to the championship in 2005.

"They almost beat us. We expect another tight game, but we will be ready."

The Knights are expected to come out fiercer today as they try to bounce back from a 77-74 defeat from the Stags.

Leading the charge for Letran are Smart-Gilas national team members Rey Guevarra and RJ Jazul and Kevin Alas.

Facing them on the other side of the court are brothers Russel and Lowell Yaya, Claude Cubo and Argel Mendoza, the league leader in assist (5.8 per game), boards (5.8 per game), steals (2 per game), and second best scorer (19.8 per game).

In the other game, Leonard Anquilio, the league's smallest player at 5-foot-1, is expected anew to lead the Chiefs, the best-performing guest squad so far.

The Chiefs are on the rise lately with their third straight wins - thanks to the HRM student's heroics the past two games.