The defending champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights and perennial contender San Beda University Red Lions are the top choices as teams to beat in the upcoming NCAA Season 97 basketball tournament.
In a press conference held on Saturday, at least three coaches identified Season 95 finalists Letran and San Beda as heavy favorites.
"Okay ang build up ng kanilang team, maganda ang kanilang recruitment," Arellano University Chiefs head coach Cholo Martin said about Letran, the Season 95 champions who added players such as Rhenz Abando and Brent Paraiso to a roster that retained Finals MVP Fran Yu, Jeo Ambohot, and Allen Mina.
Letran coach Bonnie Tan, meanwhile, did not discount the ability of rivals San Beda.
"Maraming bago talaga and based sa mga kuwento-kuwento and posts, San Beda nandiyan parati," he added.
The Red Lions are bringing back Mythical Five member James Canlas Kwekuteye while also reinforcing the squad with members of their NCAA Season 95 juniors champion Red Cubs lineup, including Jrs Finals MVP Rhayyan Amsali and Mythical Five members Yukien Andrada and Justine Sanchez.
For many coaches, however, the tournament is an even playing field as all teams will return to play for the first time after two years of inactivity.
"All the schools will be tough. I think it will be an even playing field this season," De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (CSB) Blazers head coach Charles Tiu said.
CSB and Letran will open the basketball tournament which will start on March 26.
Watch the games live on GMA Network's different platforms and social media accounts of NCAA Philippines and GMA Sports.
—JMB, GMA News
