MANILA, Philippines - Letran seeks to stay on top while streaking Mapua hopes to keep its run going sans its head coach and stay in the Final Four hunt as they collide today in the 91st NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Knights survived the St. Benilde Blazers for a 79-69 win last Thursday to remain on top of the heap with an 11-2 card with another win in their 4 p.m. encounter with the Cardinals putting them closer to securing one of the two outright semifinal berths..
Letran will be facing a Mapua side riding the crest of a four-game streak, including a 70-66 victory over Lyceum Friday that kept it at No. 5 with an 8-5 (win-loss) slate, just a game behind No. 4 Perpetual Help (9-4).
The streak is Mapua coach Atoy Co’s longest since he took over the coaching reins from Chito Victolero three years ago.
The cage legend, however, will not be around when the Cardinals tangle with the Knights after he was slapped a two-game suspension following his ejection for a technical in the fourth quarter of their last match.
It was Co’s second ouster in the season. He was also suspended after being tossed out against Lyceum in their first round meeting.
Still, Letran coach Aldin Ayo believes the Cardinals will be a tough team to handle even without their coach.
“They’re already a strong team and getting stronger each game,” said Ayo.
The Mapua game will also be the start of a tough five-game elims windup for Letran, which will next face Jose Rizal (7-6) on Sept. 18, Arellano (10-4) on Sept. 25, Perpetual Help (9-4) on Oct. 2 and reigning five-peat champion San Beda (10-3) on Oct. 6.
Meanwhile, Jose Rizal U, in sixth with a 7-6 card tries to keep its semis hopes alive as it tangles with ousted St. Benilde at 2 p.m.