Red Lions Aim To Defend Title In FMC Open

Nineteen varsity teams will take part in the 10th Fr. Martin Collegiate Open Cup basketball tournament, which starts on Nov. 30 at the Arellano University gymnasium.

Defending champion San Beda Red Lions, who are the reigning NCAA champions are back to defend their crown, and are among the 14 squads entered in the men’s division.

The La Salle Lady Archers, who took the top women’s honors in the 76th UAAP season, will fight for glory in the five-team women’s division.

A three-game bill will kick off the opening games, with last season’s finalist, the College of St. Benilde Blazers clashing with Lyceum Philippines University-A at 9 a.m..

The University of the Philippines Maroons will meet the Far Eastern University-B Tamaraws at 10:30 a.m.

The Mapua Cardinals will take on the San Sebastian Stags at 12 noon.

The Red Lions, who are seeking their third straight crown, are in Group B with the University of San Tomas Tigers, the runner-up of the 76th UAAP season, according to commissioner Robert de la Rosa

Joining the Red Lions and the UST Tigers are University of Perpetual Help Altas, the University of the Philippines Maroons, and the Lyceum Philippines Univetsity-A Pirates.

Also in Group B are the Far Eastern University Tamaraws and last season’s runner-up, the College of St. Benilde Blazers.

The Ateneo Blue Eagles are bracketed in Group A with the Mapua Cardinals, the Lyceum Philippines University Pirates-B, and the Far Eastern University Tamaraws.

The San Sebastian Stags are also in Group A with the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers and St. Joseph-Bulacan.

Joining the Lady Archers in the women’s division are the University of the East Amazons, the UST Tigresses, and Fatima University.

In the previous staging of the tournament early this year, the Red Lions got big baskets from Ryusei Koga and Arthur de la Cruz as they swamped the College of St. Benilde-A Blazers, 64-36, to earn their second straight championship.

Ryusei Koga tallied 18 points for the Red Lions while Arthur de la Cruz had 14 during the finals last March.

source: ABS-CBN News