Knights, Stags to miss key players in 89th ‘NC’

MANILA, Philippines - Letran and San Sebastian, which lost key players after the last season, hope to spring some surprises when the 89th NCAA basketball tournament unwraps tomorrow before an expected full-house crowd at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

Top scorer Kevin Alas skipped his final year of eligibility to join Smart Gilas Pilipinas 2.0’s cadet team, while best big man Jam Cortes has completed his five-year tour of duty, leaving the Knights without two aces from inside and out.

But Letran landed a prized rookie in Rey Nambatac, a former Squire who made big impression with a strong performance while convincing Raymond Almazan and skipper Jonathan Belorio to play one more year to cushion the impact of Cortes’ departure.

“We’re lucky to get (Rey) Nambatac, who has all the tools and is a very promising player. We still have some of our big men playing this season so we’re really fortunate,” said Letran coach Caloy Garcia, who took over from long-time mentor Louie Alas early this year.

The Stags are in for a more challenging season following the graduation of SSC’s Big Three composed of Calvin Abueva, Ronald Pascual and last year’s MVP Ian Sangalang.

Topex Robinson is back at the SSC helm after resigning midway last year and picked Fil-Am Leo De Vera and an all-around rookie in Jaymar Perez to lead a guard-heavy squad skippered by holdover Jovit dela Cruz.

“We’re a wing heavy team who will rely on our running game and outside shooting and defensive hustle to win,” said Robinson.

Both the Knights and the Stags turned in impressive showing during the pre-season with the former nearly upsetting the fancied National U Bulldogs in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup quarterfinals.