Reigning champion San Beda and finalist Lyceum were the consensus favorites to no one’s surprise ahead of NCAA Season 94, which opens on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Red Lions remain the heavyweights and will be gunning for their third straight title while the Pirates are coming off a historic season where they went 18-0 in the elimination round before getting swept in the finals.
“I think the teams that figured in the finals before and that’s San Beda and Lyceum [are the teams to beat],” said University of Perpetual Help coach Frankie Lim, who is making his NCAA comeback six years after stepping down as San Beda’s coach following his involvement in a brawl that got him a two-year ban from the league.
Interestingly, Lim and the Altas, who are the Season 94 hosts, play the Lions in the very first game of the season.
“I think every year has been the same. It’s the host school against the defending champion,” Lim said. “It should be an exciting game to watch. We’ll give a good fight.”
The Pirates, with MVP CJ Perez back, are expected to give the Red Lions their stiffest challenge.
The new season, however, won’t be all about San Beda and Lyceum. Coaches are also convinced that all schools have bolstered their lineups, making it a level playing field.
“After San Beda and Lyceum, all the rest I think have improved a lot in terms of keeping the competition balanced,” said College of St. Benilde coach TY Tang.