San Beda College will try to extend its reign for another year as it clashes with host Perpetual Help, even as last year’s runner-up Lyceum of the Philippines University tackles San Sebastian today in the opening games of the 94th NCAA senior basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Lions remain as the consensus favorites after retaining the core of the team that won back-to-back championships, headed by Robert Bolick, Javee Mocon and last year’s Finals MVP Donald Tankoua of Cameroon, while acquiring blue-chip rookie recruit Even Nelle from its San Beda-Taytay high school team to further boost an already loaded core.
Gone were Davon Potts and Cameroon’s Arnaud Germain Noah, who was replaced by the taller Toba Eugene of Nigeria.
Clint Doliguez, Franz Abuda, Jose Mari Presbitero, AC Soberano, Ranbill Tongco, Jerimer Cabanag and Calvin Oftana are among the players, who made the roster this season for San Beda, which has made the finals 12 straight times, winning 10 championships during that span.
San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez, however, stressed the league is balanced and anyone can beat anyone.
“Yes, we have experience and we’re almost intact. But I still think it will be tough this season because teams have beefed up,” said Fernandez.
San Beda will tackle at 2 p.m. a Perpetual Help team that has tapped coach Frankie Lim, who incidentally steered the Lions to four championships more than a decade ago, while LPU tangles with San Sebastian at 4 p.m.
A 12 noon opening number will precede the games, which will be shown at ABS-CBN Sports and Action live.
NCAA president Anthony Tamayo of Season 94 host Perpetual Help bared the schedule of the “NCAA on Tour” set on July 12 at the Jose Rizal Gym, on July 19 at the Arellano U Gym, on July 26 at the Emilio Aguinaldo Gym, Aug. 2 at the Letran-Calamba Gym, and on Aug. 9 at the Perpetual Help Gym.
“For the second straight year, we will be bringing our NCAA games straight to the students with our “NCAA on Tour,” said Tamayo.
Arturo “Bai” Cristobal will be league commissioner and will tap a new set of referees also officiating in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
NCAA Management Committee chairman Frank Gusi also of Perpetual Help said this year’s theme is “NCAA Season 94: UnParalleled Heights in Sports Development.”