LYCEUM of the Philippines University clashes with Letran in a step-ladder semifinal clash on Friday to determine defending champion San Beda University’s Finals opponent in the National Collegiate Athletic Association seniors basketball tournament at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The match is set at 4 p.m.
The survivor of this no-tomorrow match will face the Red Lions in the best-of-three series starting on Tuesday.
The second-ranked Pirates hope to face the Red Lions for the third consecutive year, while the No. 3 Knights are seeking to cross paths with their bitter rivals for the first time since their seemingly improbable championship run in 2015.
Coach Bonnie Tan, who has yet to beat Lyceum this season, remained upbeat that Letran will overcome the odds and make it back to the league’s biggest stage.
“We will do our best. It’s a big challenge for my team. I hope we can pull through because there’s only one game remaining,” Tan said.
In their 85-80 win over San Sebastian last Tuesday, the Knights lost to the Stags in the rebounding department, 36-48, which worries Tan—especially if the Pirates’ big man Mike Nzeusseu plays at his 100 percent best.
“We have to check on that. We were always winning sa rebounding, pero ngayon [against San Sebastian], we were outrebounded,” he said.
Lyceum’s other primary concern is how to match up with Letran’s deep bench.
Against the Stags, the Knights had six players churning out double-digit numbers led by graduating forward Jerrick Balanza’s 15 points.