MANILA, Philippines—Letran College tries to complete an unlikely turnaround—from the brink of elimination to clinching a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four—when it takes on San Beda College at the close of the second-round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
The Letran Knights staged a late uprising to edge Philippine Christian University, 60-54, Friday for a ninth win that ensured their place in the playoffs.
A Letran victory over the defending champions in the 4 p.m. showdown wraps up a twice-to-beat semifinal incentive for the Knights. They will then engage the San Beda Lions in another playoff for the No. 1 seeding in the semifinals.
The top seed in the semifinals faces the No. 4 seed while the other pairing will pit the No. 2 seed against the No. 3 seed. The top two teams need to win just once to advance to the finals.
If Letran manages to avoid all complications and beats San Beda for at least the No. 2 seeding, Mapua Institute of Technology will battle Jose Rizal University in a knockout match with the winner facing San Sebastian College for the No. 3 seed. The Cardinals, Bombers and Stags are tied at 9-5.
If the Knights lose on Wednesday, they fall into a four-way tie with San Sebastian, Mapua and Jose Rizal U at 9-5, setting up at least four playoff matches for the last three spots in the Final Four.
In such a scenario, Letran will play Mapua on Monday, while San Sebastian battles Jose Rizal U. The winners of both games will dispute the No. 2 seeding, while the losers will fight for the last semifinal berth Wednesday. The loser of the battle for No. 2 automatically takes the third seeding.
“Beating San Beda will be a very tall order but it can be done,” said Letran coach Louie Alas, whose team lost to the Lions, 71-67, in the first round.
“We have to be very aggressive and be in control.”
Foremost on Alas’ game plan is how to stop Nigerian behemoth Sam Ekwe, who posted 25 points and 17 rebounds against the Knights in their first meeting.
