Last chance for Knights to earn semis incentive

Defending champion Letran tries to clinch twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four on its third attempt against league-leader Red Lions of San Beda today as the elimination round comes to a close in the 82nd NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

In what could be a preview of the NCAA finals, Letran meets arch-rival San Beda in the main game at 4 p.m. Philippine Christian U and Mapua collide in the other senior’s match at 2 p.m.

The Lions, enjoying a 12-1 win-loss mark, are guaranteed of the twice-to-beat incentive and the top seeding in the semifinals where they will face the fourth-ranked Cardinals (7-6). The Knights are at second spot with a 10-3 (win-loss) record followed by the Dolphins (9-4).

A win by PCU and a loss by Letran would give them identical 10-4 cards at the end of the eliminations. The two teams will face off in a playoff game to decide the second spot and the twice-to-beat advantage on Friday.

The Final Four starts Sept. 13.

The Knights are coming off back-to-back defeats, the last one to the Dolphins (59-48) last Aug. 25.

Aside from losing to San Beda in the first round (57-49), Letran will also face a squad that won its last 11 matches, reason why coach Louie Alas considers his team as the underdog in this game.

"We have to concentrate more on the small things, the intangibles. As the underdogs, we have to put a lot of effort," said Alas, who hopes to give Letran its 18th men’s basketball crown.

The Intramuros-based team will rely on its 1-2 punch of PBA-bound players Boyet Bautista and Aaron Aban, as well as reliable mainstays Andro Quinday, Hafer Mondragon, Mark Balneg and rookie Dino Daa.

As for the Lions, coach Koy Banal hopes to use the game as a tune-up for the Final Four.

"We don’t have to worry about the future because it’s not in our hands anymore. I hope everybody will be ready to play especially (John) Hermida, (Ed) Tecson and (Ed) Canlas," said Banal. Hermida and Canlas are nursing sprained knee, while Tecson hurt his ankle in their last game.

The Dolphins will try to go all-out too in their bid for a possible playoff with the Knights. They also hope to avenge their opening day setback against the Cardinals with a stunning 47-42 triumph.