Here come the Knights

Letran coach Jeff Napa feels his team is peaking at just the right time, which could mean trouble for any team that’s bound to face the Knights in the Final Four of NCAA Season 94.

With Larry Muyang continuing his strong play and the rest of the Knights showing remarkable cohesiveness, Letran formally punched its ticket to the playoffs with a 79-61 demolition of San Sebastian Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Once a team loaded with talent and firepower that has struggled to play to its full potential, the Knights now loom as the biggest threat to San Beda’s reign this season.

“We still have two games before the Final Four so we’re thinking that we have to take care of business first,” said Napa, who steered the Knights to a first Final Four appearance since 2015 when they won the crown under Aldin Ayo.

“But, of course, we are ready against whoever we will face in the Final Four whether we have a twice-to-beat advantage or not.”

Perpetual Help, hounded by player eligibility issues, boosted its postseason hopes with an 81-67 blowout of Emilio Aguinaldo College in a game marred by an injury to Generals center Hamadou Laminou.

Kim Aurin, whose eligibility is in question after allegedly playing in a league outside of the NCAA while serving a residency requirement, delivered a career-high 26 points.

Big man Prince Eze notched a double double with 16 points and 14 rebounds for the Altas, who streaked to a third straight win for an 11-5 card.

Sources said the NCAA has yet to tackle the Perpetual Help eligibility issue.

The Altas went on a 15-2 run to pull away from a narrow 37-35 lead at the half. Compounding the Generals’ woes was the injury to Laminou, who suffered a cut in his upper left eye after he was inadvertently hit in the back of the head by Jerome Pasia’s knee, resulting in his face getting slammed on the court.

“It’s a good thing the boys settled down in the third and the flow our offense improved,” said Perpetual coach Frankie Lim.

The Knights are still in the hunt for the Final Four bonus, especially after they toppled Lyceum Pirates, 80-79, last Friday.

Lyceum still has to play St. Benilde and San Beda in their last two games, while Letran’s last two assignments are Perpetual Help and St. Benilde.