Red Lions Aims 17th Crown

San Beda aims for history when it faces Letran in Game Two of their NCAA Season 88 finals battle at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum on Saturday at 6 p.m.

The Red Lions are aiming for their historic 17th title in seniors basketball, which would put them one ahead of the Knights. The Mendiola dribblers are also eyeing their third straight title with a sweep of their Muralla counterparts.

The juniors finals between the San Beda Red Cubs and the San Sebastian Staglets will take the center stage first at 3:15 pm to be followed by the awarding ceremonies.

But even though the Red Lions are one step away from the title, coach Ronnie Magsanoc said he didn’t want his team to be complacent.

“We’ll try to outwork them again. Yun lang ang pinanghahawakan namin. The team’s championship experience, ‘di na mag-ma-matter. Amidst all the trivias, we’ll just stick to the game plan,” he said.

“It will be all about effort. We’ll play the same way. Nung hindi namin makuha sa offense, nakuha namin sa defense.”

Team captain Jake Pascual will try lead the Red Lions against a Letran team that they have beaten 15 straight times in NCAA competition, a streak that dates back to the second round of eliminations in the 2007 edition of the tournament.

Despite the odds, the Knights are still optimistic that they can rally back in the series.

“You have to give credit to the championship experience of San Beda. You have to give credit also to their staff. Hindi kami pumutok sa labas nung mag-zone sila,” said Letran coach Louie Alas.

“Pag ganitong series, hindi na dapat factor ang fatigue. Mental toughness na lang. Magaling talaga ang San Beda. Champion team sila eh. Kailangan talunin namin sila sa style namin para mag-champion.”

Alas expects his team to step up in Game Two.

“We’ll play big on Saturday. Short-lived lang ang frustration. May next game pa. It’s just one loss. They’ll have to beat us twice to win the series.”

Letran main man Kevin Alas, who struggled in the second half of Game One, also vowed to bounce back in Game Two alongside Mark Cruz and Kevin Racal, who are expected to be marked men in the second match.

source: InterAKTV