Vital tiff up for Knights, Bombers

MANILA, Philippines - Letran and Jose Rizal clash today in a crucial match of teams in a mad chase for the last Final Four berth even as Emilio Aguinaldo Colleges tries to keep its slim hopes alive in the 88th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Knights and the Bombers are locked in a three-way logjam with the Perpetual Help Altas at third with 9-6 slates with the winner in the 6 p.m. encounter gaining solo third.

The loser will drop to No. 5.

“It will decide everything, that game,” said Letran coach Louie Alas.

“We have to win that game for us to have a chance to make it the Final Four,” said JRU mentor Meneses. 

Jose Rizal routed Letran, 101-83, in their first round meeting last Aug. 13 but the Bombers have struggled the last few games, dropping three of their last four matches.

In contrast, the Knights, with Raymond Almazan back on the roster, have won all but one of their last six games.

“His (Almazan) presence is more psychological because the team seemed relaxed knowing there is someone inside who can grab more than 10 rebounds and block shots,” said Alas.