Games Sunday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
9:30 a.m. – Mapua vs Arellano (juniors)
12 noon – EAC vs Letran (juniors)
2:30 p.m. San Beda vs Benilde (men’s)
By MARK REY MONTEJO
San Beda and College of St. Benilde square off for one last time in Season 101 with the remaining Finals spot in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament as the ultimate prize in their rubber match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday, Dec. 7.
With their semifinal series back to square one, the Red Lions and the Blazers must pour it all in their 2:30 p.m. Game 3 clash with the winner earning the right to face Letran in the finals.
The Knights secured the first Finals berth after sweeping the Perpetual Altas capped by a 74-70 triumph in Game 2 last Saturday, marking their return to the Finals since Season 98.
A win for San Beda would reignite its storied rivalry with Letran after figuring again in a heated title clash in 2019 (Season 95) where the Knights emerged victorious.
While most the fans are rooting for the two winningest schools in the grand old league to duke it out once again in the Finals, Benilde is ready to gatecrash the party.
With the momentum now on Benilde’s side, the challenge for the Taft-based squad is still daunting even through Agjanti Miller remains uncertain whether he can play or not for San Beda in the all-important match.
Miller was reportedly sidelined due to a right knee contusion that was evidently exploited by the Blazers after hacking out a 77-75 Game 2 escape – thanks to Ian Torres’ game-winning floater.
The versatile 6-foot-4 Miller was spectacular the last time, firing 29 points to spearhead the Red Lions’ 91-72 demolition of the Charles Tiu-mentored crew.
But whether Miller would suit up or not, the series is not lacking in players ready to rise to the occasion.
Apart from Torres, Benilde has Tony Ynot, Justine Sanchez, Shawn Umali, Rob Celis, and Allen Liwag to count on.
Meantime, all games in the juniors division are sudden death with Emilio Aguinaldo and Letran going at it in their 12 p.m. showpiece, while Mapua and Arellano raise the curtain of the triple-header at 9:30 a.m.
