Knights go for the kill today

Letran hopes to sustain the momentum of its big victory in the series’ opener Wednesday as it guns for the clincher against San Sebastian College today in Game Two of their best-of-three showdown for the NCAA varsity basketball crown at the Rizal Coliseum.

With Ronjay Enrile on the firing end and the rest of the team riding roughshod behind a sleek running game, the Knights broke away from a tight first quarter and romped away with an 89-73 win in Game One, a victory the Muralla-based cagers are raring to duplicate at 4 p.m. today.

But for Letran coach Louie Alas, winning the series’ opener is one thing. Sweeping the Stags is another.

"Knowing coach Turo (Valenzona), I know he’s thinking of coming up with a surprise in Game 2 so I told the boys to expect the unexpected," Alas said.

For one, Alas feels Valenzona will re-focus more on Letran’s outside shooters – Jonathan Aldave, Boyet Bautista, Aaron Aban and Enrile, who torched the Stags with 11 triples the last time out.

The former Talk N Text coach also expects Fil-Am Clark Moore, league MVP Leomar Najorda, Nicole Uy, Chris Baluyot and Michael Gonzales to come up strong and atone for their mediocre games in Game One.

Lastly, Alas predicts the Stags to run more.

"We know they have the ability to run," said Alas. "What we need to keep doing is to continue to play tougher defense," he added.

Valenzona, for his part, said it’s a question of desire.

"Kahit sabihin mong ikaw ang pinaka-experienced and talented sa liga na ito, wala ka namang desire to win, wala rin," said the veteran Stags coach.

In juniors action, the San Beda Red Cubs seek to clinch this year’s crown as they take on the Mapua Red Robins at 2 p.m.

San Beda needs only a win to wrest the title, an advantage it got after sweeping the 14-game elimination round while Mapua, which trounced elims No. 2, needs two victories to clinch the crown.