Knights eye crucial win versus Chiefs

Games today

4 p.m. – Letran vs Arellano

6 p.m. – Mapua vs St. Benilde  

MANILA, Philippines - Letran plays Arellano University in a crucial match today at The Arena in San Juan, gunning for a victory and a crack at No. 2 and the twice-to-beat incentive in the NCAA Final Four.

The penultimate playdate of the elimination phase also features Mapua and St. Benilde in their closing game in the season.

The Knights and the Chiefs battle at 4 p.m. then the Cardinals and the Blazers clash at 6 p.m.

Mapua (7-10), Arellano (6-11) and St. Benilde (5-12) are all out of the running for the semis but all are raring to end their respective seasons on a winning note.

Five straight victories have given Letran a lock on a spot in the semis but the Knights are not about to relax as another win could give them a playoff shot at No. 2 finish in the elims.

A win by Letran and a loss by San Sebastian to San Beda Monday would force a tie for second between the Knights and the Stags at 12-6. In such case, the two teams figure in a sudden death for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four.

Jose Rizal U and Perpetual Help dropped their matches to Emilio Aguinaldo College and San Sebastian, respectively, last Thursday to wind up tied at fourth. They will dispute the last semis berth after the elims.

The Knights vow to do what it takes to keep their hot streak and stay in chase of the Final Four incentive.

The Chiefs are eliminated but they’re given much respect by coach Louie Alas, considering their decent 6-11 win-loss mark that included a 77-67 win over the Knights in the elims.

Alas, however, expects his troops to go all-out to keep their win run going since they bowed to the San Beda Lions last Sept. 1.

The Knights have gone on a roll with wins over the Lyceum Pirates, the St. Benilde Blazers, the Stags, the JRU Bombers and the EAC Generals.