Yu man to watch as Knights play Lions

MANILA, Philippines — For the past two games, Fran Yu has been manning the ship for Letran with aplomb.

With two of the Knights’ vital cogs serving suspension, Yu would have to steer the wheel one more time.

Minus starters Brent Paraiso and Louie Sangalang, the Knights have to step up as they play their age-old bitter rivals the San Beda Lions today in the NCAA Season 98 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Mapua (1-4), runner-up last season ago, aims to come out of the rut while Jose Rizal U (2-2) shoots for a third win in a row as they square off in the 12 p.m. curtain-raiser.

A win for the three-peat-seeking Dominican school would catapult it back to the top alongside idle College of St. Benilde and Lyceum of the Philippines University with identical 4-1 records.

Tip-off is at 3 p.m. with the Lions out to break free from a logjam a fifth spot with San Sebastian and University of Perpetual Help at 2-2.

The Lions will not have to deal with the sharp-shooting Paraiso and the energetic Sangalang who will serve their one-game suspension incurred for their unsportsmanlike plays in their last game.

But then there’s still the scrappy Letran skipper who collected 15 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals in a bruising 67-62 win over the Mapua Cardinals Tuesday, then 12 points, nine boards, five dish-offs and six swipes in an 81-75 win over the Blazers.