MANILA, Philippines - Letran hopes to rebound from its crushing defeat to unfancied Emilio Aguinaldo College last week as it faces Jose Rizal University, seeking a crucial win and a return to the No. 2 spot in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan today.
“I keep reminding the team that every game is important because we’re not only chasing a Final Four slot but also a twice-to-beat advantage,†said Letran coach Caloy Garcia.
A former leader, Letran slipped to third place at 10-3 behind frontrunning San Beda (12-2) and No. 2 Perpetual Help (11-4) after dropping a harrowing 64-87 loss to EAC.
But with the Altas dropping a sorry 76-78 setback in overtime to the Lions last Thursday, the Knights get a crack at the No. 2 spot against the Heavy Bombers in their 4 p.m. encounter.
A win will not only push Letran back to No. 2 but will also put the Knights on track for the top seeding heading to the crucial stages of the double-round elims.
But against the Bombers, the Knights will be facing a team out to nail a win to boost its own bid for a playoff for the last semis berth. At 5-7, JRU is way down in sixth and needs to win as many games as possible in its last six matches.
Letran barely nipped JRU, 69-66, in the first round last July 6 with the Bombers no way to go but up coming off a four-game skid, including a 61-64 loss to the Altas last Sept. 16.
“We have to learn to close out games, that’s what we need to get back on track,†said JRU coach Vergel Meneses.
Meanwhile, Arellano U and Mapua collide at 6 p.m. The Chiefs, with a 4-9 mark, need to sweep their last six outings and hope a fourth team will not go over 10 wins to stay in the Final Four hunt.