MANILA, Philippines - Letran outplayed St. Benilde down the stretch to eke out a 72-69 victory yesterday and keep its slim Final Four chances in the 86th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
Kevin Alas and Jam Cortes took charge in the final two minutes as the Knights broke away from a 64-all count to defuse the Blazers and notch their sixth victory against eight losses.
It’s still too far behind the fourth running Mapua (8-5) with the Knights needing to sweep their last two games and hope the Cardinals lose their last three matches to force a playoff for the last semis berth.
“We’re still clinging on the hope that it will happen but our chances are slim,” said Letran coach Louie Alas.
The Knights will still have to contend with the San Beda Lions, unbeaten in 12 outings, on Sept. 24.
“We would be happy if we could just show that we could compete against San Beda,” said Alas.
The Blazers, paced by Carlo Lastimosa’s 21 points, fell to their 10th defeat against four wins.
In the other seniors game, Jose Rizal U gave newly appointed Emilio Aguinaldo coach Gerry Esplana a rude welcome as the Bombers routed the Generals, 76-50, to improve to 11-3 (win-loss).
The Generals fell to their 12th defeat against two wins.
In juniors’ action, Jose Rizal edged Emilio Aguinaldo, 81-78, to seize a share of fourth with Letran, which dropped a 63-70 loss to La Salle-Greenhills, on 8-6 (win-loss) slates.
The win by the Junior Blazers, their seventh in as many setbacks, also kept them in the Final Four hunt.
The Brigadiers fell to their 12th loss against two wins.
Joey Villar, Philippine Star[
Subject: Knights edge Blazers, keep hopes alive 
Thu Sep 16, 2010 9:06 am
