Games today:
Mall of Asia Arena
4 p.m. – San Beda vs. St. Benilde
6 p.m. – Letran vs. San Sebastian
THE San Beda Red Lions try to start their bid for a fourth straight championship on a rousing note as they take on tournament hosts St. Benilde in the opening playdate of Season 89 of the NCAA basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Red Lions, with their core of Ola Adeogun, Baser Amer and Rome dela Rosa intact, will be facing off against a St. Benilde squad left searching for a main man with the departure of former Rookie of the Year Carlo Lastimosa and reliable point man Joel Tolentino. The Blazers also have a new head coach in Gabby Velasco, who will mostly rely on the efforts of Mark Romero and Paolo Taha.
The second game will feature a Final Four rematch between last year’s runners-up Letran Knights and the San Sebastian Stags. Both teams are also aiming to find their own way with the losses of their star players.
Letran will be without ace guard Kevin Alas and his father, former head coach Louie Alas, but will be banking on the three-pronged attack of Mark Cruz, Kevin Racal and the towering Raymund Almazan. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio