Knights topple Altas, stay in race for Final Four

Letran worked extra hard on defense while struggling offensively down the stretch as it repulsed Perpetual Help- Rizal, 70-64, to remain in contention for the NCAA Final Four at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum yesterday.

The Knights threw a defensive blanket on the Altas in the last two minutes, limiting them to only three foul shots, thus, taking the first of three games they need to sweep to gain a crack at the last berth in the semifinal round.

Though Letran jacked up its win-loss card to 6-6, Jose Rizal, however, stayed well-entrenched at fourth place with a 7-4 record. The Bombers need only a single win in their last three games to join the San Sebastian Stags, the St. Benilde Blazers and the PCU Dolphins in the Final Four.

UPHR absorbed its 11th defeat against a lone win.

Philippine Christian U enhanced its bid for a twice-to-beat incentive in the semifinals as it tripped league-leader San Sebastian, 98-85, in the second game.

Letran’s top gun Ronjay Enrile suffered cramps late in the third quarter but the burly comebacking Amiel Syhongpan, who had missed a total of six games because of a typhoid fever, and Rodriguez took over in the fourth quarter.

With Syhongpan and Rodriguez at the firing end, Knights erected a 59-49 advantage midway through the final canto.

But they lost their touch at endgame and needed to toughen up on defense to complete the win that kept the team’s flickering hopes for the semis.

The Altas made their own searing run in the fourth quarter behind Nov Javier and Mark Taver, tying the count at 61-all.

"We are not thinking of the Final Four yet dahil wala sa aming mga kamay ang chance naming makapasok sa semifinal. Basta maglalaro lang kami ng husto," said Letran coach Louie Alas, who had had stints in the MBA and the PBA after steering the Knights to the 1999 NCAA title.

Boyet Bautista and the prolific Enrile started it all for the Knights, combining for 12 points in the third quarter as Letran took a 49-45 margin.