Knights target Final 4 berth, twice-to-beat edge vs Lions

Letran point guard Mark Cruz goes for an uncontested layup against Arellano. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Letran tries to avoid a complicated race going into the Final Four wars when the Knights tackle the San Beda Red Lions on Tuesday in the NCAA Season 91 men’s basketball tournament.

A victory in the 4 p.m. main match at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan will give the Knights one of the two top semifinal spots and an automatic twice-to-beat advantage that goes with it.

But the Knights know it won’t be a cakewalk, especially since they are up against the defending champion Lions, who are coming off an ugly defeat.

Stunned by a 19-point loss to the Arellano Chiefs, the Lions fell to 12-5 in the standings and missed securing the twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals outright.

Knights’ two chances

The Knights, who defeated the Chiefs by six points over a week ago, are on top at 12-4 and should at least win one of their last two assignments to earn the same bonus.

Arellano (11-6) and Mapua (10-6), also in the hunt for seats in the semifinals, try to boost their chances against separate rivals in today’s triple-header.

The Chiefs take on the also-ran Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals (2-16) at 2 p.m.

“We don’t want to take things lightly,” said Arellano coach Jerry Codiñera. “We should be consistent, manage the ball well and take good open shots.”

Jiovani Jalalon topscored with 25 points against the Lions as the Chiefs arrested a two-game slide.

Facing a more challenging encounter are the Cardinals, who should impose themselves on the dangerous College St. Benilde Blazers (5-12) in the noon curtain-raiser.

A win for the Lions against the Knights today will solidify their hold on second spot. It will also make the battle for third place tougher among Arellano, Perpetual Help, Jose Rizal U and Mapua.

Five-way tie for 3rd

There remains the possibility that the next five teams after Letran and San Beda could end up tied for second, all with 12-6 records after the eliminations.

In that case, the teams will be ranked according to the quotient system to determine the Final Four qualifiers.