Rivals San Sebastian, Letran battle for NCAA survival

Old rivals Letran and San Sebastian, with a combined 29 NCAA basketball titles, find themselves in each other’s way again in their bid to return to the Final Four in Season 93’s men’s basketball tournament.

The Knights square off with the Stags in another do-or-die affair on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. at Mall of Asia Arena, with the survivor reaching the next phase of the stepladder semifinals.

The Knights are looking to sustain their late-season surge that has brought them back to relevance after missing out on the postseason last year.

Letran, only two years removed from its 17th title, has faded away from the limelight as the likes of upstart Lyceum has taken the tournament by storm this year, going unbeaten in 18 games.

“Our goal is to give Letran another championship,” said graduating player Rey Nambatac, whose resurgence has coincided with Letran’s superb play in the last two games.

“But we’ve been in must-win games for the last two weeks and I think that will help us overcome San Sebastian,” Letran coach Jeff Napa said.

“The players are definitely going all-out. I’m not ready to take a vacation yet.”

The Stags are also looking to make a return to the Final Four for the first time since Season 89 when the team was coached by current Lyceum mentor Topex Robinson and powered by CJ Perez, who was in his rookie year in the league.

San Sebastian earned the fourth seed due to a superior quotient after a 95-64 demolition of Letran last Sept. 26. But coach Egay Macaraya expects a dogfight this time against the Knights, who stunned Arellano, 79-68, to reach this game.

“It will be tough but we’re ready,” said Macaraya.