Dolphins vs Knights: Whose defense will hold?

The league’s best defensive teams — Philippine Christian U and Letran College — take center stage today as they clash for the solo lead in a duel of unbeaten teams in the 81st NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Astrodome.

Tied for the lead with 6-0 (win-loss) slates, the Dolphins, the defending champions, and the Knights, the 2003 titlists, collide at 2 p.m. with both teams raring to flaunt their vaunted defensive games in a bid to startle each other’s play patterns.

Inspired by the system put up by coach Junel Baculi, winner of six titles in the PBL, the Dolphins remain tops in defense at this stage of the tournament as they limited their opponents to a league-best 51.5 points a game.

But the Knights aren’t too far behind with a 55.83-point norm against their foes.

And that could well tell how the PCU-Letran game would turn out.

"It’s going to be our defense against their defense," said Letran mentor Louie Alas, who steered the Knights to the 1998 and 2003 championships.

"We’re winning because of our defense and we would need more than playing defense if we want to beat Letran," said Baculi, who is seeking his first collegiate crown on his first NCAA season.

Baculi was particular in creating mismatches, particularly against the versatile troika of Jonathan Aldave, Aaron Aban and Boyet Bautista, who could pose problems since the players they’ll be pitted against are a lot smaller.

The veteran PBL coach is also wary of Letran’s vaunted full court press.

"There are obviously mismatches in defense, and we have to solve their full-court defense," said Baculi.

Led by last year’s rookie MVP Gabby Espinas, the Dolphins battled back from double-digit deficits to trounce the St. Benilde Blazers, 63-49, while the Knights made key shots in the stretch as they edged the Mapua Cardinals, 69-67, also last week.

Meanwhile, Mapua and St. Benilde, currently at third and fourth spots with 4-2 and 3-3 records, respectively, tangle at 4 p.m.