Last year’s finalists, Mapua University and De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, face early tests in NCAA Season 101 as they take on perennial contenders in Wednesday’s opening-day clashes at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Cardinals will launch their title defense bid against Lyceum of the Philippines University at 2:30 p.m. while Season 100 runner-up Blazers will slug it out against San Beda University at 5 p.m.
The double-header will follow the opening ceremonies set at 12 p.m. as the league ushers in a new era with the introduction of a new tournament for basketball and volleyball.
Mapua still looms as the team to beat.
Clint Escamis is returning for his final tour of duty wearing the Cardinals uniform while Randy Alcantara remains at the helm as both look to lead Mapua to another title.
The graduating Escamis will join forces with holdovers Cyrus Cuenco, Yam Concepcion, JC Recto, and Marc Igliane as well as the returning Cyril Gonzales and recruits Icee Callangan, Drex Delos Reyes, Cyrus Nitura, and Sebastian Reyes.
But Mapua’s championship caliber faces an early challenge from a fired-up LPU side determined to topple the reigning kings.
The Pirates are led by veteran Ato Barba, who is eager to prove he still has what it takes after going undrafted in the PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft. Supplying the help are sophomore Jonathan Daileg and other key holdovers Joshua Moralejo, Simon Peñafiel, Renz Villegas, and Michael Verzosa
"'Di na namin tiningnan kung may gumraduate kasi ang key rito, may mga bago na gusto magpakita, especially [sa] opening [game]," Alcantara said.
"Nakita namin 'yan nung preseason, talagang capable sila at talagang deserve nilang makalaro sa NCAA kaya di dapat kami magpabaya. Kailangan ready kami and ma-input sa players namin na hindi kami malakas, talagang dapat ilalaban namin."
(We don't look at who graduated because the key here, there are new players that want to show what they can do, especially in the opening game... We saw that in the preseason, they're really all capable and deserving to play in the NCAA so we can't be careless. We need to be ready and we need to input into our players that we aren't the favorites, we really need to fight every game.)
In the second game, Benilde and San Beda square off in a rematch of last year's semifinals foes.
Benildewill still be with reigning MVP Allen Liwag together with a solid core made up of Tony Ynot, Gab Cometa, and Justine Sanchez.
Incoming Blazers Shawn Umali and SJ Moore are also tipped to provide a huge boost as they look to break the finals curse this time following a pair of championship heartbreaks in the last three seasons.
As always, San Beda stands as a force to be reckoned with, just as it has in the past.
Standing at the forefront for the Red Lions is veteran Yukien Andrada together with Bismarck Lina, Bryan Sajonia, Jomel Puno, Penny Estacio, and Nygel Gonzales.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
