Red Lions, Knights renew NCAA rivalry
San Beda University and Colegio de San Juan de Letran renew one of the collegiate basketball’s fiercest rivalries in the NCAA Season 94 men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.
San Beda eyes to fortify its grip of the No. 2 spot and Letran hopes to continue to draw inspiration from a fallen teammate Jerrick Balanza.
The Red Lions will come into their 2 p.m. showdown as the favorites having secured having comfortably occupied a place in the top two with a 10-1 (win-loss) mark behind the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates (11-0).
San Beda University’s Robert Bolick goes for a layup against Michael Calisaan of San Sebastian College during the NCAA Season 94 men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City. RUSSELL PALMA
They also beat the Knights, 80-76, in overtime on August 10.
Robert Bolick and Donald Tankoua were instrumental in San Beda’s first round win over Letran while AC Soberano had his share of heroism by burying a pair of three-pointers in extra period.
“We expect it to be tougher for us because we know Letran is a strong team and is always a contender,” said San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez.
For Letran, it seeks to ride the crest of its 99-82 win over Arellano University last Thursday for a win it dedicated to Balanza, who recently had a surgery that removed a tumor on his brain.
“We will dedicate all our remaining games to Jerrick,” said Napa.
College of Saint Benilde, meanwhile, takes on San Sebastian College at 4 p.m.
The Blazers lost to the Stags in their first-round duel but the league forfeited it after San Sebastian’s RK Ilagan was caught to have played in other leagues outside the NCAA.
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