Knights troop back to hardcourt

While Letran officials are facing legal battle against the league itself, the Knights hope to keep their concentration on the playing court when they face the San Beda Red Lions in a crucial game in the NCAA basketball tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum today.

With the semis race getting tighter and tighter each game, the Knights are determined to fight off distractions that could derail their title-retention bid.

The Knights take on the Lions at 4 p.m. today, seeking to regain a share of the lead after being relegated to second place by a loss to the Mapua Cardinals the last time out.

A win over the Lions will put Letran on equal footing with Perpetual Help and Philippine Christian at 8-4. With that record, the Altas and the Dolphins are both a win closer to the Final Four.

But the Knights expect a rough ride versus the Lions who have won three of their last four games, including a come-from-behind 83-78 overtime victory over St. Benilde Friday to keep their semis hopes alive.

Meanwhile, the NCAA policy board, which is composed of presidents of the league member schools, is still looking for ways to solve the controversy brought about by Letran’s court case against the league.

The board was still meeting at presstime.

It will be recalled that Letran sought a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) to stop the league from enforcing a one-game suspension on Letran forward Frederick Rodriguez in their game versus Mapua Saturday.

Mapua, tied with San Beda at 6-5, also pursues its semis bid as it plays winless St. Benilde in the day’s other game at 2 p.m.

The Cardinals, however, will have to go for a win minus starter Jofferson Gonzales, who serves a one-game suspension for punching Letran’s Jonathan Aldave in the body in their game Saturday.