San Beda sets up dream NCAA finals matchup vs Letran

MANILA, Philippines – One of the most heated sports rivalries is back. And both teams want to get the better of the other.

The best-of-three NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball championship series tips off on Wednesday, December 10, at the Araneta Coliseum, pitting bitter rivals San Beda Red Lions and the Letran Knights.

Both teams have a chance to gain the upper hand in their seventh head-to-head finals matchup, with the Red Lions and Knights winning three titles each at the other’s expense.

Letran won the last two series in 2015 and 2019, both three-game classics which came down to the wire.

“We’re excited, it’s a dream come true facing San Beda,” Letran head coach Allen Ricardo said after watching the Red Lions oust the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 84-81, on Sunday, December 7.

“It’s hard to draw first blood, but that’s what we are targeting,” he added.

The two teams split their elimination-round matches in Group B, with San Beda winning the first game, 68-58, and Letran prevailing to close the second round, 87-83.

Rookie sensation Janti Miller (17.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game) banners the Red Lions along with pro-bound Yukien Andrada (9.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 1.5 apg) and Bryan Sajonia (12.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.8 apg).

“They’re peaking at the right time, hats off to their coaches,” said San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta.

“We do not feel pressure, I just want my players to be able to enjoy the experience of this kind of atmosphere, especially in the finals, because not all Beda and Letran players were able to experience this kind of atmosphere,” he added.

On the Letran side, rookie standout Titing Manalili (14.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 8.9 apg, 1.9 spg) also plays a key role along with Jimboy Estrada (13.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.9 apg, 1.2 spg), and Jun Roque (7.3 ppg, 1.6 rpg).

Manalili, a former high school Finals Most Valuable Player, admitted to feeling pressured but vows to overcome the rowdy atmosphere and potential physicality by his opponents.

“I saw how San Beda alumni talked trash to CSB players to throw them off their game,” said Manalili.

“It’s on me on how not to get rattled, I will not tolerate [trash talk],” he continued.

“We will prepare not only in terms of strategies but our bodies as well.” – Rappler.com