Letran aims to keep card clean vs CSB

MANILA, Philippines - Unbeaten Letran tries to make it four-in-row as it squares off with hard-luck winless St. Benilde even as Lyceum and Perpetual Help clash for a share of second in the 89th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Knights rolled past the San Sebastian Stags, 74-69, in season opener last June 22, then held off the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals, 79-74, last June 29 and repulsed the Jose Rizal Bombers in overtime, 69-66, last week to emerge the lone unbeaten squad in the 10-team fold.

They hope to sustain their run in their 6 p.m. encounter and extend the Blazers’ woes after the latter dropped their first three assignments in heartbreaking fashions. St. Benilde lost to San Beda Lions in the dying seconds, 70-71, last June 22, dropped another 72-73 squeaker to the EAC Generals, 72-73, and lost steam against the Bombers in overtime, 71-73, just last Thursday.

“We expect a tough game even though we’re on top and they’re at the bottom,” said Letran coach Caloy Garcia. “In this league, there is no weak or strong team. Instead, anyone can beat anyone.”

Perpetual Help and Lyceum face off at 4 p.m. with the winner joining San Beda at second at 3-1.

Meanwhile, Perpetual Help has decided to withdraw its protest in favor of seeking clarification on one crucial play in its 77-78 overtime defeat to the San Sebastian Stags last Monday.

Perpetual Help Management Committee representative Moises Lozada submitted the clarification letter to the board, which was immediately forwarded to league commissioner Joe Lipa.

The Altas were contesting the referees’ failure to award Perpetual’s rookie Juneric Baloria two free throws after he was fouled by San Sebastian’s Jon Rebollos late in the second quarter when the Stags were already in penalty situation.

The Stags went on to win the game in extra period.

The Altas are currently tied at No. 3 with the Pirates who are off an impressive 2-1 (win-loss) slate, highlighted by their shock 70-66 upset of the Lions last June 24.