After more than two months, NCAA Season 98 is now down to two teams: De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
And as the two squads set up a Finals clash on Tuesday, the coaches from both sides said they expect an exciting and grueling best-of-three series.
Benilde head coach Charles Tiu anticipated that Letran would win their semifinals series against Lyceum of the Philippines University, which the Muralla crew did after a tough 67-58 win over the Pirates to punch its Finals ticket for a third straight season.
Tiu, whose Blazers won 62-61 over the San Beda University Red Lions in the earlier game, believes that their down-the-wire win would be a valuable experience for when they face the Knights in the Finals.
"This was a good test for us, if we can stand our ground, I think maybe we'd have a chance (against Letran)," Tiu said in between the two Final Four games.
"But I'm not saying Lyceum isn't gonna win but I really think we're gonna end up seeing Letran... I'm expecting Letran to win but if it's Lyceum, then so be it."
His prediction turned out to be true and his counterpart at defending champion Letran, Coach Bonnie Tan, was likewise high on the looming clash.
The champion tactician, though, would like to think that his team is still at a disadvantage as they are facing the #1-seeded Blazers, who finished the elimination round at the top.
"Pagtatrabahuhan namin kasi number one team ang Benilde so mindset pa rin namin is nasa dehado side tayo," Tan said.
"Excited din kaming makalaban ang CSB sa Finals dahil first time din nila after long years na absent sila sa Finals. Sana mabigyan natin ng magandang laban 'yung CSB."
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
