DEFENDING champion San Beda University’s resolve will be tested right away.
The Red Lions square off with the Lyceum Pirates tomorrow, Saturday, as the NCAA’s centennial cage wars get going at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The match is set at 2:30 p.m. after the expected glamorous opening rites at noon.
Last cage wars’ bridesmaid Mapua tackles College of St. Benilde at 5 p.m.
“Every time naman na kalaban mo iyong Lyceum kailangan ready ka. Katulad ng sabi ko, coach Gilbert (Malabanan) always prepares well,” San Beda coach Yuri Escueta said. “He coaches his team well. He prepares his team well. Isa sa mga pinaka-masipag na teams.
“Hindi lang sa NCAA and sa Pilipinas yata ang Lyceum so it’s going to be a challenge for us. Hopefully, iyong challenge na iyon maharap namin ng tama,” he added.
The Lions will have to make do without former ace Jacob Cortez, who transferred to La Salle in the UAAP, and Peter Alfaro due to graduation but will have reliable players in Yukien Andrada, Jomel Puno and finals MVP James Payosing.
San Beda will also have new additions Bryan Sajonia, brothers RC and Richi Calimag, Penny Estacio, and Bismarck Lina.
John Barba, along with John Bravo, Vincent Cunanan, Mclaude Guadana and Gyle Montano are expected to banner the Pirates’ charge.
“For me, we can expect a very exciting game. Actually, talagang pinaghandaan namin iyong San Beda, iyong first game namin, kasi you know naman, last season talaga natalo kami ng San Beda (kahit may) twice-to-beat, No. 2 kami,” Malabanan said. “So, iyon iyong kumbaga parang motivation ko sa mga players ko ngayon na lalong lalo na first game namin iyong San Beda and again, gusto namin na kumbaga makakabawi din doon sa losses namin last year so I think it’s a motivation to our team.”
