Letran, EAC fives try to bounce back vs lowly foes

LETRAN coach Louie Alas hopes his wards have learned from an early, painful lesson when the Knights tackle the Arellano Chiefs in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament today.

Alas knows the Knights have no reason to go easy on the winless Chiefs in their 4 p.m. encounter, just a week after they absorbed an unexpected 66-69 loss against Perpetual Help.

“We have to work harder, there are so many good teams now,” said Alas after his Knights kicked off their bid by stunning powerhouse San Sebastian, 80-74, only to lose to the Altas in their second game.

Emilio Aguinaldo College, also coming off a first loss, takes on another winless squad in Lyceum in the 6 p.m. game at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Their junior counterparts, the Brigadiers and Junior Pirates, open the three-game bill at 2 p.m.

“Our work doesn’t end with just one win,” said Alas after the Knights’ huge win over the Stags where his standout son, Kevin, exploded for 31 points.

True enough, the Knights got a quick reality check with their first setback in a game where the Altas scored 20 points off turnovers.

The Generals, who share a 1-1 record with the Knights and idle Mapua, are also coming off a 79-90 drubbing from solo leader Jose Rizal University just two days ago.

But before falling short against the Bombers, the Generals got off to a 75-72 triumph over Arellano behind Russell Yaya and Noube Happi.

Both Arellano and Lyceum remain winless in three outings.