Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—A new NCAA season looms but same old teams are tipped as favorites to win it all.
San Beda and Lyceum, two squads who figured in the finale the past couple of years, are expected to be the top dogs anew.
“The team to beat is really San Beda,” University of Perpetual Help coach Frankie Lim said during the NCAA Season 95 press conference Monday at Mall of Asia Arena. “They’re the defending champions and they won a championship in the preseason.”
The Red Lions are going for a fourth straight championship while the Pirates aim to make the finals again and hope that the third time’s a charm.
Both teams lost go-to guys to graduation and yet they still have formidable rosters.
San Beda won’t have the likes of Robert Bolick and Javee Mocon, who led the team’s championship run in Season 94, but the Lions will still parade a promising core in Donald Tankoua, James Canlas and Evan Nelle.
Lyceum, meanwhile, will be bannered by the Marcelino twins Jaycee and Jayvee and Mike Nzeusseu, who will be the designated leaders of the team following the departure of superstar CJ Perez and MJ Ayaay to the pros.
“Lyceum is my team to beat. Despite the players they lost, they still have the advantage,” said new Letran mentor Bonnie Tan, who was the former coach of the Pirates.
Season 95 tips off on July 7 at Mall of Asia Arena. The opening ceremony is set at noon and will be followed by the game between San Beda and host Arellano at 2 p.m.
The main game pits Lyceum against Letran.