Knights stake lead vs Chiefs

Rey Nambatac. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

It will be Arellano’s turn to test Letran’s title credentials Friday in the 91st NCAA basketball tournament.

Having already beaten the three other semifinalists last season, the Knights put their unbeaten streak on the line against the dangerous Chiefs at 4 p.m. at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Defying preseason predictions, the Knights notched victories over San Beda, Jose Rizal U and Perpetual Help as part of their 5-0 start, with Arellano the only other Final Four team they have yet to face this season.

San Sebastian tries to end a three-game slide against winless Emilio Aguinaldo College at 12 noon, before Mapua shoots for a third victory against Lyceum at 2 p.m.

The Stags hope to climb out of a two-way tie for seventh spot with the Pirates, who also own a 1-4 record. The Generals are seeking a breakthrough after losing their first five games of the season.

The Cardinals shoot for back-to-back wins against a Lyceum squad also reeling from three straight defeats.

Letran draws strength from its suffocating defense, but the improvement of the likes of Rey Nambatac and Mark Cruz has also proven instrumental to the Knights’ strong start. Rookie big man Jomari Sollano has also come to the fore with his inside scoring.

Letran coach Aldin Ayo has refused to be carried away by his team’s explosive start.

“We haven’t accomplished anything yet; I still think we’re the underdogs,” said Ayo, a defensive-minded guard during his playing days for the Knights in the late 1990s.

The Chiefs have recovered after a 61-78 loss to the Bombers to start the season, racking up four straight wins with spitfire guard Jiovani Jalalon leading the way.

Jalalon already has two games with at least 15 assists in a testament to his ability to orchestrate the Chiefs’ high-octane offense.