San Beda, Letran gun for NCAA Finals berth with separate foes
Games on Friday
(MOA Arena)
Noon – CSB vs San Beda (Srs)
2:30 p.m. – Letran vs UPHSD (Srs)
BITTER rivals San Beda University (SBU) and Colegio de San Juan de Letran, the NCAA’s most titled college basketball teams, will try to close in on a chance at adding another championship to their vast collection as they shoot for the jugular against separate foes on Friday in NCAA Season 101 at the MOA Arena.
The SBU Lions were resolute in their 91-72 demolition of the College of St. Benilde (CSB) Blazers in the opener on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and should be equally determined in Game Two in their duel at noon.
“We expect CSB to be tougher in Game Two and make adjustments,” said a weary San Beda coach Yuri Escueta.
“We just have to be ready,” he added.
The Letran Knights, for their part, had to outlast the Perpetual Help Altas in their own series opener to escape with a 77-73 win and should be locked and loaded again when they face off at 2:30 p.m.
A decider, if necessary, is set on Sunday back at the Big Dome.
San Beda aims for a league-best 24th senior cage championship while Letran tries to close the gap as it shoots for title No. 21, the second highest in the NCAA.
The Lions are expected to draw strength anew on their power duo of Agjanti Miller and John Sajonia, who erupted for 29 and 26 points, respectively.
Mr. Escueta stressed the Game Two result will hinge mostly on how his big men would respond to the challenge of facing reigning MVP Allen Liwag of CSB.
“I will continue to challenge my bigs because they have to guard him (Mr. Liwag) from the post and the perimeter and box him out at the same time,” he said. — Joey Villar
