Leader Knights ready for dogfight with Pirates

Much as he would love his team to put away teams early on, Letran coach Caloy Garcia doesn’t mind his Knights getting pushed to the limit as long as they are up to the challenge down the stretch.

The pacesetting Knights expect another dogfight at 6 p.m. today when they battle the dangerous Lyceum Pirates in the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

“I’m not worried as long as we’re winning,” said Garcia, referring to the Knights’ tight victories, including a 77-70 win over Mapua to start the second round last Saturday.

Emilio Aguinaldo College shoots for a fourth straight victory against San Sebastian in the first game at 4 p.m.

With the Stags and Generals tied with 4-5 records, the showdown could impact the Final Four chances of both teams, with the winner tying Jose Rizal U at fourth spot.

The Stags are on a three-game tailspin, after closing out the first round with a 55-60 loss to the Lyceum Pirates.

San Sebastian showed plenty of fight, almost completing a comeback from 25 points down starting the fourth period before falling short.

With Happi Noube playing his best stretch the past three weeks, the Generals have climbed out of the cellar and turned into a serious Final Four contender.

Happi imposed his will anew with 17 points and 20 rebounds in the 89-80 triumph over Mapua last Thursday. Also giving the Generals a lift in their last two outings is Igee King, who has averaged 18.5 points in wins over Lyceum and EAC.

Out of their nine wins so far, the Knights have won by double digit margins twice.