San Beda opens NCAA 3-peat bid vs Perpetual Help, old coach

Defending champion San Beda begins its bid for a third straight title against host University of Perpetual Help in the opener of the 94th NCAA Season set on July 7 at Mall of Asia Arena.

The league will have an opening ceremony at noon while the game between the Red Lions and Altas follows at 2 p.m. while the main game features last year’s losing finalist Lyceum and San Sebastian at 4 p.m.

The Altas will be parading their new head coach Frankie Lim, who steered the Lions to four championships in five finals appearances during his time at San Beda’s helm from 2007 to 2011.

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Meanwhile, the first meeting between fierce rivals San Beda and Letran is scheduled on Aug. 10 at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Pirates, bannered by reigning NCAA MVP CJ Perez, hope to get back at the Red Lions in a rematch of last year’s finals set on the last day of the first round on Aug. 21 also at San Juan Arena.

Last season, Lyceum went undefeated all the way to the finals before getting swept by San Beda in their best-of-three title series where the Red Lions bagged their ninth NCAA crown in 10 years.

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The first NCAA On Tour game of the new season will be held at Jose Rizal University Gym on July 12 with the Heavy Bombers making their debut at home against the Mapua Cardinals.

Except for the season opener which will be held on a Saturday, games will be played every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.