NCAA Season 95: Stop Lions at all costs
Credit to Author: Tempo Online| Date: Mon, 01 Jul 2019 21:00:50 +0000
by Waylon Galvez
Games Sunday (Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City)
12 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies
2 p.m. – Letran vs Lyceum
4 p.m. – San Beda vs Arellano
Without a doubt, San Beda University remains as the team to beat when the 95th Season of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball wars starts Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Question is, who’s going to challenge the Red Lions this year?
“It is going to be a battle for the rest of the teams,” said coach Topex Robinson, whose Lyceum Pirates lost to the Red Lions – both via sweep – in the finals of the NCAA the last two years.
NCAA coaches Boyet Fernandez of defending three-time champion San Beda Universoty, Randy Alcantara of Mapua, Edgar Macaraya of San Sebastian College, Frankie Lim of University of Perpetual Help, Cholo Martin of Arellano University, Bonnie Tan of Letran, TY Tang of College of St. Benilde, Oliver Bunyi of Emilio Aguinaldo College, Louie Gonzales of Jose Rizal University and Topex Robinson of Lyceum during the press conference for the 95th NCAA Season Tuesday at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City.
“I cannot single out any team based on their pre-season games, all teams are stepping up in terms preparation for the tournament. One thing is for sure it’s going to be an exciting season,” added Robinson in Tuesday’s press conference held at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City.
The season of the oldest collegiate league will officially open on Sunday as host school Arellano takes a first crack on SBC at 4 p.m., right after the 2 p.m. game of Letran and Lyceum.
Prior to the doubleheader, the NCAA will have a grand opening with this season’s theme of “Kaisa sa Pagkakaiba” and according to Management Committee chairman Peter Cayco, they are doing a different opening ceremony.
“It’s going to be different, but still very entertaining. As first time host, we want to leave a lasting impact as far as opening ceremony. All of us at Arellano University, we’re all excited to be the season host,” said Cayco.
San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez said he expects an improvement from the other nine teams out to dethrone them and end their reign rule in the NCAA as the Lions aim for a fourth title.
With star players Robert Bolick and Javee Mocon now in the PBA, Fernandez will rely on holdovers like Fil-Canadian James Kwekuteye, Amil Soberano, Clint Doliguez, Calvin Oftana and Cameroonian Donald Tankoua.
“All the teams have beefed up their lineups, but for us we have retained the team intact,” said Fernandez. “It’s going to be a tough, just like in the previous years, but we’re out to defend the crown.”