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NCAA grudge game: Knights battle Lions |
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Written by Staff
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Wednesday, 30 July 2008 11:38 |
Fierce rivals Letran College and San Beda College clash for the first time since figuring in the finals last year at the close of the first round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament on Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
The Letran Knights, riding on the brilliance of shooting guard RJ Jazul and power forward Dino Daa, head into the 4 p.m. duel hoping to complete a seven-game sweep of the first round and go three games clear of the defending champion San Beda Red Lions.
Letran coach Louie Alas thinks the game will not necessarily set the direction of the Knights’ campaign in their bid to unseat San Beda this season.
San Beda swept Letran last year for its second championship in a row.
“It’s just one game,” said Alas, who despite their 6-0 mark, tags the Knights as the underdogs in Wednesday’s game.
“We can’t use that as a basis, but for sure, we will be very happy if we upset San Beda.”
The Lions took a pair of losses—on and off the court—Wednesday.
They got torched by Jose Rizal University in the final period, losing 79-74. A few hours later, the NCAA management committee overturned their 71-54 victory over College of St. Benilde because of Sam Ekwe’s uniform infraction.
And this has worried Alas all the more as he expects the Lions to come out stronger, especially with their transition game.
“Our goals are to stop their transition game and contain their starters plus (Riego) Gamalinda,” said Alas, whose last title with Letran came in 2005.
The first seniors game at 2 p.m. pits a streaking JRU squad against the Philippine Christian University.
With big man James Sena and Marc Cagoco anchoring their inside-outside game, the JRU Heavy Bombers have put together a four-game winning run, after losing two straight.
Coach Ariel Vanguardia attributes their change in fortunes to the leadership of the veteran Jason Nocom.
“Jason has been very vocal in motivating his teammates,” said the coach.
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