Knights gun for share of lead

Letran shoots for a share of the lead with San Beda as it takes on Perpetual Help while reigning titlist San Sebastian and Mapua clash in the other match today in the 79th NCAA basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

At solo second place with a 5-2 (win-loss) record, the Knights are heavily favored over the Altas, down in the standings with only two wins to show in seven games.

Gametime is at 2 p.m.

Letran is expected to lean again on the prolific Ronjay Enrile and a defensive game that has been the Knights’ main weapon.

"A lot of our opponents think we’re a quick running team but our real strength is our defense," said Alas, who had a two-year stint as coach in the PBA and the defunct MBA before returning to the Knights’ fold last year.

The San Sebastian-Mapua duel is also a game to watch.

Tied at fourth spot with 4-3 slates, the Stags and the Cardinals collide at 4 p.m., seeking to join the Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers (5-3) at third.

While the defending champions are hoping to rediscover their deadly form, the Cardinals are aiming to exact revenge on the former after dropping their first round match, 61-63, last July 21.

And like most coaches, Mapua mentor Horacio Lim feels defense would be the key to their bid.

"I won’t get tired of saying this but I believe we need to really play tough defense in order to beat a strong team like San Sebastian," said Lim.