Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Letran seeks to keep its lofty perch as it clashes with a resurgent Mapua team minus its suspended coach Atoy Co Tuesday (September 15) in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at The Arena in San Juan.
The Knights overcame an upset try by the College of St. Benilde Blazers with a 79-69 victory last Thursday to seize the solo lead with an 11-2 (win-loss) record and will continue to hang on to it if they could hurdle the dangerous Cardinals in their 4 p.m. duel.
Related: Letran regains solo lead NCAA: Letran hopes to fortify hold of top spot, tackles Mapua
Mapua, for its part, will be riding the crest of its 70-66 victory over Lyceum last Friday that stretched its streak to four while pushing it at No. 5 with an 8-5 slate, just a full game behind No. 4 Perpetual Help.
It will also be the longest streak in Atoy Co’s three seasons with the Cardinals.
Unfortunately, Co will not be sitting on the Mapua bench when the team clashes with Letran after he was suspended by league commissioner Arturo “Bai” Cristobal for two games following another infraction he committed in the Lyceum game resulting to his ejection late in the fourth quarter.
It was second time Co was suspended after he was also banned for a game for being ejected also against Lyceum in their first round encounter.
With or without Co, Letran mentor Aldin Ayo thinks the Cardinals will be a tough team to handle.
“They’re already a strong team and getting stronger each game,” said Ayo of Mapua.
The Mapua game will also be the start of a difficult five-game windup for Letran as it will next tackle Jose Rizal (7-6) on Sept. 18, Arellano (10-4) on Sept. 25, Perpetual Help (9-4) on Oct. 2 and reigning five-peat champion San Beda (10-3) on Oct. 6.
Jose Rizal, meanwhile, hopes to breathe some life to its waning Final Four bid as it faces off with an already eliminated St. Benilde at 2 p.m.
