LETRAN goes for the kill in Game Two of the NCAA Season 98 seniors basketball finals as St. Benilde tries to force a decider on Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The match At the Araneta Coliseum starts at 3 p.m.
Things to know:
CHASING HISTORY
Letran tries to replicate a feat that the school hasn't achieved in four decades: complete a three-peat.
The Knights have not won three straight crowns since Samboy Lim was still roaming the halls of Muralla and this crew has the opportunity to do just that and etch their names in the history books.
But coach Bonnie Tan would like his boys, especially veterans Fran Yu, Brent Paraiso, and King Caralipio, to not be weighed down by this narrative and rather, just focus on the task at hand.
LIMITING LOUIE
Even St. Benilde coach Charles Tiu admitted that Louie Sangalang was a monster in Letran's 81-75 Game One win last week.
Missing only one of his 11 shots for a career-best 24 points and 10 rebounds in that series opener, the Abucay, Bataan native is hungry to have that same level of impact as the Knights try to shoot for the sweep.
That puts all the more pressure on the shoulders of the Blazers' bigs to stop the coronation.
WILL HE SHOW UP?
Will Gozum is set to take home the MVP honors prior to Game Two.
But as much as he's taking home the top individual plum, he will have to be at his best come game time if St. Benilde wants to push this best-of-three series to the distance.
Gozum did tally 18 points, 11 boards, and two assists for the Blazers, but he needs to step it up if they still don't want their season to end on a bridesmaid finish.
MISSING MIGS
Tiu has repeatedly regarded Migs Oczon as one of his most hardworking players in the Blazers lineup and his presence was sorely missed in Game One.
Spraining his ankle two minutes into the series opener, the sweet-shooting guard watched as six players from his side suffered from cramps before faltering late.
Onus is now on the likes of Jimboy Pasturan, Robi Nayve, and JC Cullar to make up for this loss in hopes of forcing a winner-take-all Game Three.
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