Knights continue hot streak, manhandles Lyceum

Kevin Alas of Letran gets a hug from Kevin Lacap of Lyceum during their game Friday, Sept. 9, 2011, at the 87th NCAA men’s basketball tournament. The Knights have a foot in the final four after manhandling the Pirates, 88-74. AUGUST DELA CRUZ/Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines – The Letran Knights are one step closer to what eluded them last season.

Rolling to its seventh straight victory, Letran put its one foot in the final four after manhandling Lyceum, 88-74, Friday in the 87^th NCAA seniors basketball competition.

The wily star guard Kevin Alas came out impossible to contain en route to a 29 point-explosion while also collaring five rebounds and dishing out 11 dimes.

The Knights, the winningest squad in the history of the league, earned at least a playoff with an 11-2 record but one more victory will formalize its comeback in the semi-finals after missing it last season.

A relentless fourth quarter attack spearheaded by Alas turned a close contest into a rout for Letran, whose performance as of late exuded the consistency it lacked last year.

The Knights did hold on to the advantage the entire contest, but would let up on several occasions by allowing the Pirates to come within striking distance.

Lyceum, whose grasp of the fourth spot, is gradually slipping away with its second straight loss, could not come closer than two points after making it, 52-50, with 3:45 in the third.

Jhyruz Laude finished with 14 points on a losing cause for the Pirates, who sunk to 5-8, behind Mapua and St. Benilde in the standings.