Dream Match: San Beda Vs. Letran

Letran continued its mastery over San Sebastian this season, beating the No. 2 squad twice in the semifinals to arrange a luscious showdown for the NCAA crown with the three-peat seeking San Beda. The Knights ousted the Golden Stags, 73-70, in a pulsating do-or-die encounter yesterday at the San Juan Arena.

And so the stage is set for two of the richest basketball programs in the NCAA — San Beda and Letran. Both schools are tied with a league-leading 16 men's basketball titles in the country's oldest cage league. The eventual winner will get its 17th diadem and break the tie that was set last year when the Red Lions defeated the Stags for the title.

The Knights' last championship was in 2005. The very next year, San Beda began a three-year dynasty in the NCAA that was momentarily halted by San Sebastian in 2009. In 2010, SBC retook the crown and successfully defended it last year. Now the Lions gun for a grand slam, the same feat they achieved from 2006 to 2008.

In 2007, the Knights challenged the Red Lions for the title but lost 0-2 in the best-of-three series. SBC then had a powerhouse crew that included 2006 rookie-MVP Samuel Ekwe of Nigeria, Pong Escobal, Yousif Aljamal, Bam Gamalinda and Ogie Menor. Letran had the dynamic duo of Rey Guevarra and RJ Jazul. continue reading here

source: Coach Jude Roque