INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines— Stung by its fiercest rival the last time out, Letran College tries to keep a tight grip on the solo lead on Wednesday when it collides with College of St. Benilde at the start of the second round of the 84th NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

The Knights, whose bid for a first-round sweep was thwarted by San Beda College last week, gun for their seventh win against the Blazers at 2 p.m. at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

San Sebastian College, a team building on a strong opening-round finish, hopes to mirror its first round feat over Philippine Christian University in the last game at 4 p.m.

Letran playmaker RJ Jazul shot a career-high 37 points, including seven triples in the Knights’ 88-75 victory over the Blazers in the first round. The win snapped St. Benilde’s two-game streak to open the season.

But coach Louie Alas would rather have more Knights stepping up than rely on another explosive performance from the 5-foot-10 junior guard.

“We can’t afford to be predictable, especially on our offense,” said Alas, who hopes to draw more firepower from the likes of Dino Daa and Rey Guevarra.

Although the Blazers have been on a slump after winning their first two games, Alas remains cautious.

“They are still a very dangerous team,” Alas said of the Blazers, who will be led by Chuck Dalanon, Jeff Morial and Anjelo Montecastro.

The Blazers were held to a season-low 48 points in an 18-point loss to the San Sebastian Stags two weeks ago.

Finally overcoming endgame jitters, the Stags, who have been turning to a Jim Viray, have won their last two games, including a 71-64 trouncing of the PCU Dolphins on July 21.

In contrast, the Dolphins were unable to keep their composure at crunchtime in their last game against Jose Rizal University, bowing 60-58 on a last-second basket by James Sena.

Meanwhile, defending champion San Sebastian closed in on a first-round sweep after downing San Beda College, 25-9, 25-4, 25-6, in the women’s volleyball tournament Tuesday.

The San Sebastian volleybelles, which faces Letran on Wednesday, improved to 5-0. Cedelf P. Tupas