REIGNING two-time champion Letran plays San Beda without two key players in a much-anticipated National Collegiate Athletic Association seniors basketball game Friday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Brent Paraiso and Mark Sangalang will serve one-game suspensions as the Knights eye a piece of the lead in their 3 p.m. clash with the Red Lions.
With a 3-1 record, Letran hopes to rejoin College of Saint Benilde and Lyceum of the Philippines University on top of the standings.
But without Paraiso and Sangalang, the Knights will have to dig deep against the Red Lions.
Paraiso and Sangalang were ejected for separate unsportsmanlike behaviors in the final period of Letran’s 67-62 win over Mapua last Tuesday.
Averaging a team-best 12.75 points this season, Paraiso’s offense will be sorely missed while Sangalang’s hustle—he’s the Knights’ top rebounder with 10.25 per game—without a doubt, will be lacking in the duel of the league’s biggest rivals.
Fran Yu will remain as the main man for the Knights along with Kurt Reyson, King Caralipio, Pao Javillonar and rookie Kobe Monje.
San Beda, currently tied with San Sebastian and Jose Rizal University (JRU) at 2-2, is eyeing its first back-to-back wins this season.
The Red Lions are coming off a week-long rest after a 78-71 win over the Stags. They were supposed to play the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Altas last Sunday but the game was canceled because of Super Typhoon “Karding.”
Mired with a four-game losing streak after a rousing opening day win over the Red Lions, the Cardinals hope to break out of a slump against the Bombers in the 12 noon curtain raiser.
JRU has been solid in its two victories, including last Friday’s 70-67 nipping of Arellano University.