Lions, Knights duel for share of NCAA lead

Defending champion San Beda faces its toughest test yet Thursday when it collides with fierce rival Letran in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The two teams, which have 35 titles between them, meet at 4 p.m. in a showdown where the Knights will also try to prove their championship credentials.

St. Benilde shoots for a second straight win against Lyceum in the 2 p.m. game. The Blazers are coming off a 73-66 triumph over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals last week.

Although they lost to the Arellano Chiefs the last time out, the Pirates are slowly finding their groove especially big man Joseph Gabayni who had 20 points in a losing effort.

Jonathan Grey and Travis Jonsson will be marked men against the Pirates after combining for 34 points in the win over the Generals.

Letran pulled off impressive wins over St. Benilde and Jose Rizal U to start the season. But the Knights have yet to face a high caliber roster like that of the Red Lions who breached the 100-point mark in each of their first two games.

Both teams have not played in nearly two weeks due to the postponement of games last week.

“Any break in a long season is always welcome but we expect Letran to always play hard,” said SBC  coach Jamike Jarin.

The Knights are riding high on the momentum of their first two wins where they crush opponents with their suffocating full court defense.

“That (Letran) team is built to play that way and credit to their coaching staff for maximizing their strengths,” said Jarin, who will be up against fellow rookie tactician Aldin Ayo at the Letran bench.

Jarin believes depth will be key in the duel especially with both teams expected to come out aggressive and play at a fast tempo.

In veteran guard Baser Amer and forward Art dela Cruz, Jarin feels he has two players who can help figure out the Letran press.

Letran has Rey Nambatac, who exploded for a career-best 25 points against JRU.