LETRAN shoots for its third victory and first streak of the season as it hosts a demoralized College of St. Benilde in today’s 93rd NCAA basketball tournament at the Letran Gym in Intramuros, Manila.
The Knights are riding the crest of an 82-75 win over the Arellano University Chiefs, last year’s runners up, Tuesday and will book win No. 3 and their first back-to-back win if they could hurdle the Blazers in their 4 p.m. duel.
“We hope this win could start something big for us,” said Letran coach Jeff Napa.
Letran will face a St. Benilde team still licking its wounds following an embarrassing 55-98 loss to solo leader and unbeaten Lyceum of the Philippines University last Tuesday.
It was a game to forget for the Blazers as the 43-point rout was the highest losing margin by any team this year.
The 40 turnovers was another season-worst record that resulted to a season-high 46 points off it including 26 off fastbreaks, another season-best mark.
Napa and the Knights though aren’t taking the Blazers lightly.
“They’re a resilient team and we expect them to bounce back from that loss. We just have to be ready,” said Napa.
Rey Nambatac shone the brightest in Letran’s recent triumph after he scored 10 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter although transferees Jeo Ambohot and Jeremiah Taladua, who stole some of the spotlight.
The 6-6 Ambohot, a former middle blocker in volleyball who came from Arellano U, played his best game in Knights uniform with 15 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks while Taladua, who is formerly from LPU, had 13 points and 11 boards.
Games today (Aug. 3)
2 p.m.- Letran vs St. Benilde (jrs)
4 p.m.- Letran vs St. Benilde (srs)
