San Sebastian guns for 5th win vs Letran

Defending champion San Sebastian tries to ride the momentum of its two straight victories when it meets 1999 champion Letran today in the 78th NCAA basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Stags, who defeated the Mapua Cardinals last Friday, 65-52, for their fourth win in six outings, face the Knights at 4:45 p.m. and will try to move closer to pace-setting Philippine Christian University Dolphins and St. Benilde Blazers, both sporting 6-1 slates.

Expect San Sebastian to lean on Leomar Najorda, who is back from an ankle injury, and grizzled veterans Christian Coronel, Paul Reguerra, Roy Falcasantos, Nicole Uy and Clarke Moore.

Letran, on the other hand, will rely on Ronjay Enrile, who scored 29 points before fouling out in overtime as the Knights lost to the Bombers, 96-100, last week.

"Si Enrile lang ang titignan mo diyan kung gusto mong talunin ang Letran," said SSC coach Arturo Valenzona, author of San Sebastian’s five-peat drive in the 90s. "Pero siyempre, kailangang maglaro rin kami as a team, hindi ‘yung puro kanya-kanya na lang."

Jose Rizal, for its part, hopes to cash in on its inspiring victory over Letran when it goes up against Perpetual Help, which has dropped all but one of its six games, at 1:30 p.m.

The Bombers, who have not won a title for more than three decades now, found a hero in rookie Edward Attunaga in beating the Knights. Attunaga scored a career-high 23 points in his matchup with Enrile, the former juniors MVP.

Mapua and host San Beda, for their part, aim to bounce back from their previous losses as the two collide at 10 a.m.

The Cardinals are in a hole, losing four games against only two wins while the Red Lions have yet to taste victory in six outings.