Chiefs take litmus test vs Knights

MANILA, Philippines — Arellano University has been a revelation recently, stringing together three straight victories  en route to one of the best, if not its best, starts since it joined the NCAA 16 years ago.

The Chiefs will try to show that it’s no fluke as they clash with the dangerous, championship-contending Letran Knights in a duel of unbeaten Group B leaders today in NCAA Season 102 at the Filoil Center.

“This will be the biggest test for us this season because we all know what Letran is capable of,” said a wary AU coach Chico Manabat moments after his wards routed the Perpetual Help Altas, 88-65, at the PhilSports Arena last Friday.

Manabat was right. The Knights, last year’s runners up, have been considered one of the teams to beat this season and they have lived up to hype, producing a hat trick of victories that included a 91-80 win over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals last Thursday at the San Juan venue.

Letran should be the favorite coming into its 5 p.m. showdown with AU although the latter has shown its ability to run its opponents down with its running game.

It will be tested though on this one as the Knights could score at will too. Five of their players average in double-figures headed by high-scoring rookie Denzil Walker, who has normed 19 points a game.

“Our strength has always been preparation, consistency,” said Manabat, whose biggest weapon so far has been T-MC Ongotan, who has posted impressive averages of around 20 points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals.

In Group A action, reigning titlist San Beda (2-1) clashes with winless but dangerous Mapua (0-3) at 3 p.m., seeking a victory that would catapult it from second to a share of the bracket lead with St. Benilde (3-1).