The Letran Knights and the San Sebastian College Stags will both be brimming with confidence when they fight it out at the start of the 95th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball stepladder semifinals today at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Knights will be banking on their field-goal accuracy when they confront the Stags at 4 p.m.
“We want to have a good start,” said Knights’ coach Bonnie Tan.
The Knights, who are on their second semis appearance in two years, are seeking a better finish after getting beaten by the Lyceum Pirates in last season’s Final Four.
Their win-loss record of 12-6 may have fallen short of the 13-5 slate that they had in Season 94.
But their performance was still good enough for the Knights to achieve their goals.
On the other hand, better teamwork is expected of the San Sebastian Stags, whose 11-7 slate allowed them to bounce back from their fifth-place finish last year.
“Ang hirap kasi ng ginawa namin, with Allyn doing everything. I guess, the good thing is, the boys really needed a break and a rest,” said Stags’ coach Egay Macaraya.
Macaraya wants to get more contribution from other teammates if they are hurdle the Stags.
The Knights draw strength from the big games of Jerrick Balanza, Larry Muyang and Ato Ular.
Balanza leads with his averages of 27.6 minutes, 14.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists.
Bulanadi is the Stags’ main man.
He knocked in 44 points and eight rebounds on his final elimination round game with the Stags. In the junior division, the no. 1 seeded San Beda Red Cubs will clash with La Salle Greenhills at 10 a.m., while the Lyceum Junior Pirates will face the San Sebastian Staglets.
The Red Cubs will go for a finals’ seat under new coach Manu Inigo, who replaced JB Sison.