LETRAN tries to formalize its entry to the Final Four today, even as Emilio Aguinaldo College looks to sustain its charge for a postseason spot in the 89th NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.
The Knights clash with the reeling St. Benilde Blazers at 6 p.m., after the Generals tangle with the dangerous Arellano Chiefs in the curtain-raiser.
A win by Letran will allow the Knights to join defending champion San Beda in the Final Four and push them closer to the twice-to-beat bonus in the next round.
But they will be facing a desperate St. Benilde squad, which is coming off another heartbreaking loss last Thursday when it bowed to EAC, 83-85, on a last-second shot by John Tayongtong.
Still, the Blazers have earned a reputation of turning their game up a notch against the top teams in the league, reason why coach Caloy Garcia is wary of them.
“They’re a good team, so we have to be prepared against them,” said Garcia. “Our target is to get the twice-to-beat advantage.”
One player who can cause problems for the Knights is the versatile Paolo Taha, who posted 20 points and six boards against the Generals.
The Knights will rely on Raymond Almazan, Mark Cruz and Kevin Racal, who has emerged as another solid option for Letran.
The Generals hope to stay on the heels of the San Sebastian Stags. But the Chiefs, with a 5-9 record just like St. Benilde, are raring to also keep their postseason hopes alive.