INQUIRER Sports

The Arena, San Juan City)

2 p.m.. ? Letran vs UPHSD

4 p.m. ? SBC vs JRU

A BLOCKBUSTER match-up will highlight today's playdate in the 85th season of the NCAA as three-time defending champions San Beda Red Lions battle the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers in a rematch of last year's finals.

The match has a lot riding on it as the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four hangs in the balance.

The Lions trounced the Arellano U Chiefs, 83-72, last week to notch their 12th straight victory and 13th overall in 14 games that clinched the former the Final Four berth alongside the San Sebastian Stags, unscathed in 14 games.

The Bombers followed suit by downing the Letran Knights in an emphatic 83-66 win Friday to snare their 12th win against two losses.

The Bombers have vengeance on their minds after losing the title series last year with a heartbreaking loss in the decisive Game 5. The wound was even deepened further this year after the Red Lions blasted them, 81-96, in their match-up in the first round wherein rookie big man Sudan Daniel exploded for 31 points.

Meanwhile, the Knights seek a win that would clinch them at least a playoff for the fourth and last Final Four slot as they square off with the already ousted Perpetual Help Altas at 2 p.m.