Knights, Cards try to catch Altas at helm

Defending champion Letran and Mapua gun for a share of the lead with host Perpetual Help as they take on St. Benilde and San Sebastian, respectively, at resumption of the 80th NCAA basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum today.

Tied for second with 3-1 (win-loss) slates behind the Altas (4-1), the Knights clash with the Blazers at 2 p.m. while the Cardinals tackle the Stags at 4 p.m.

While the Cardinals are expected to encounter big challenge against the Recoletos-based cagers, Letran is heavily fancied over St. Benilde , the only winless squad in the fold with four setbacks in a row.

But Letran coach Louie Alas doesn’t want to take chances.

"It’s always hard to play a team that has nothing to lose," said Louie Alas, who steered the team to a strong third place finish in the PBL Unity Cup. "So I keep telling the boys to play hard and always respect their opponent."

In contrast, Mapua, which skidded from solo first to joint second following an 88-98 loss to Perpetual Wednesday, is expected to have a hard time against last year’s second placer San Sebastian.

After dropping their first two outings, the Stags have picked up a pair of victories, the last at the expense of the Blazers, 88-74, Monday.

Starters Leo Najorda, Chris Baluyot, Pep Moore, Michael Gonzales and Nicole Uy have been churning out impressive performances lately that keyed their team’s recent return to form.

"Maganda pinapakita ng mga beterano ko hindi lang sa opensa pati na rin sa depensa kaya kami nandito ulit ngayon," said San Sebastian mentor Arturo "Turo" Valenzona.

Like the Stags, the fate of the Cardinals also hinges on how their Big Three–Christian Guevarra, Erwin Sta. Maria and Jofferson Gonzales–perform.

Guevarra, Sta. Maria and Gonzales were big factors when Mapua rallied from 17 points down but wavered in the final period that led to its first loss against Perpetual Help.