Mga laro ngayon:
(MOA Arena)
2:30 p.m. – San Beda
vs Lyceum
4:30 p.m. – Mapua
vs St. Benilde
SISIMULAN ng San Beda University ang men’s basketball title defense kontra host Lyceum of the Philippines University sa pagbubukas ng National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100 ngayong Sabado sa Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena sa Pasay City.
Makakaharap ng Red Lions, may-ari ng 23 championships, ang Pirates sa alas-2:30 ng hapon, habang magsasagupa ang Mapua Cardinals at College of Saint Benilde (CSB) Blazers sa alas-5 ng hapon.
Bago ang mga laro ay idaraos ang grand opening ceremony ng makasaysayang season na may temang “Siglo Uno: Inspiring Legacies” sa alas-12 ng tanghali.
“Ten decades have passed and the NCAA continues to grow and flourish, remaining strong and resilient,” wika ni Lyceum president Roberto Laurel, ang NCAA Season 100 Policy Board president, sa isang press conference noong Martes. “The country’s first athletic collegiate league has already produced many icons and legends who exemplify the league’s 100 years of excellence in sports.”
Sinabi ni Laurel na kikilalanin ng centennial season ang bawat isa na naging bahagi ng NCAA journey, “from those who have inspired legacies in the past decades to those who continue to strive for sportsmanship today and tomorrow. Expect this season to be the most exciting yet.”
Sa kabila ng pitong holdovers mula sa nakaraang season, ang Red Lions pa rin ang itinuturing na paborito sa centennial edition ng NCAA.
“Again, I have yet to see my players play in an NCAA season kasi iba ‘yung preseason sa NCAA. Hindi pa sila nagiging buo kasi may iba na bagong dating lang,” wika ni coach Yuri Escueta hinggil sa mga nadagdag sa koponan.
Muling sasandal si Escueta kina team captain Yukien Andrada, Nygel Gonzales, James Payosing, Jomel Puno, Emman Tagle, Joshua Tagala at AJ Royo.
Inaasahang mapapalaban ang Red Lions sa Pirates na determinadong makabawi matapos masibak sa Final Four noong nakaraang season.
Ang Lyceum ay may ‘twice-to-beat’ advantage sa semifinals subalit nabalewala ito nang masilat ng San Beda, na tinalo naman ang Mapua sa best-of-three finals.