Letran Knights huddle up during a game against the San Beda Red Lions in the first round of the NCAA Season 98 men’s basketball tournament. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—San Beda and Letran will add another chapter to their storied rivalry on Wednesday.
The second-round clash promises to be a more interesting one with the Final Four-bound Knights staking their nine-game winning streak against the Red Lions, who have yet to secure a playoff spot.
“It would be a challenge for us to play them. They are the number one team and they’re on a streak. We have to prepare against them, but it’s all about how we execute our game,” said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta after a 71-63 win over Mapua.
“That’s Letran. I don’t motivate them with those types of games anymore. We have to just give it our best on how they’re playing now,” he added.
The Red Lions won their first-round encounter, 76-68, back in September in a game where the defending champion Knights were without two key cogs in Louie Sangalang and Brent Paraiso due to suspensions.
With a complete roster, Letran (12-3) is determined to get back at San Beda (10-5).
“We will really bounce back. They beat us and we were incomplete. I talked to the guys who played in the first round, they said we shouldn’t lose because we’re complete now,” said Letran guard Kurt Reyson after his 14-point, five-assist effort in an 84-77 win over the Generals on Saturday.
“We’ll stick to our plans and whatever our coaches tell us. We can’t give Beda confidence because they would change their game once they face us as well because it’s a rivalry,” added Reyson, who scored 20 points in the first-round meeting against San Beda.