Final match for the NCAA's biggest rivalry happens today. Red Lions go for 15th straight win

From Manila Bulletin Sports

San Beda Red Lions will face archrival Letran Knights; targets 15-0 win loss record

San Beda College tries to move closer from completing a rare 16-game sweep when it battles Letran this Friday in the 86th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Leading the league with a 14-0 card, the Red Lions are fancied over the Knights in their 4 p.m. clash although San Beda should expect another physical game from Letran just like when they first met in the first round last July.

The Red Lions prevailed in that game, 77-60, that saw 65 foul shots given and three technical fouls called. "It's always like that when you're up against Letran. They are a tough defensive team," said San Beda mentor Frankie Lim, whose team is looking for a historic sweep that will give them the automatic championship berth.

Lim, however, brushed aside the "sweep" idea.

"If it happens, it happens. My main concern right now is the championship," Lim said.

A San Beda victory this Friday will allow the Lions to match San Sebastian's 15 straight wins last year – the longest winning run in league history.


San Beda and San Sebastian have already clinched the twice-to-beat bonus in the Final Four following separate wins, but the Stags could lose it in the event the Lions sweep the elims.

If that happens, the stepladder format will be applied, with the third- and fourth-ranked squad playing in a knockout match, and the winner facing the No. 2 team for the second Finals berth. JRU and Mapua are the other semifinalists.

Category: