Two big and important games highlight the opening day of the NCAA Season 99 men's basketball tournament when the league takes flight on Sunday, September 24, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Three-time defending champion Colegio de San Juan de Letran will start its bid for a rare four-peat in Season 99 against host Jose Rizal University at 3 p.m. while two members of last year's Final Four cast De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and Lyceum of the Philippines University will square off at 5:30 p.m.
It will be the first time that NCAA is staging a game at the MOA Arena since November 19, 2019, when the Knights copped the first of their three consecutive titles against San Beda University in the NCAA Season 95 Finals.
And a dogfight is expected between the Letran Knights and the JRU Heavy Bombers given how their matches last season transpired.
Letran's first assignment in Season 98 was also JRU and although the Knights emerged victorious at the end, the win didn't come easily for the Muralla crew. Kurt Reyson had to tally a career-high 31 points, highlighted by a buzzer-beater overtime-sending triple, to steer Letran to a 101-97 overtime win.
In their second round meeting, though, luck was on the side of JRU as the Heavy Bombers stunned Letran, 87-71, to cap off a tumultuous season and deny Letran a top spot finish in the process.
But all that's a thing of the past now as both teams look to start a fresh campaign in the new season.
Read more | NCAA Season 99 Preview: No shortage of new stars as Letran Knights open four-peat bid
"We all know that JRU is a tough team. We expect a very competitive team from JRU and I respect coach Louie and the JRU team," Bajar said.
"And I hope this coming season ay masaya and maging maayos 'yung takbo ng game."
("And I hope this coming season, it'll be fun and that everything about the game goes smoothly.")
JRU head coach Louie Gonzales, meanwhile, said the first game between his squad and Letran could set the tone for another exciting season for NCAA.
"I hope that JRU and Letran will set the tone for Season 99. It's gonna be competitive, it's gonna be exciting. Ayun 'yung tinigtignan namin," Gonzales added.
("I hope that JRU and Letran will set the tone for Season 99. It's gonna be competitive, it's gonna be exciting. That's what we're looking at.")
In the second game, an undermanned Benilde squad will look to kick off its campaign on a bright note as it takes on hungry Lyceum side.
The Blazers will be without reigning MVP Will Gozum, who will serve his one-game suspension from a disqualifying foul he picked up in Game 3 of the finals between Letran and Benilde last December.
With the 6-foot-4 bruiser out, Benilde will lean on other key players in Miggy Corteza, Robi Nayve, and Migs Oczon.
Read more | NCAA Season 99 Preview: Intact Benilde Blazers out to fulfill unfinished business
"For me, obviously I'm a little bit concerned because number one, we're playing without Gozum," Benilde head coach Charles Tiu said.
"He's still suspended for the first game. It's really hard for us. And secondly, in our last preseason games, we have been killed so our confidence isn't that good but hopefully our guys are focused lang sa season."
But they should be wary of the Pirates, who are out to end their own losing streak to the Blazers. Last season, Benilde swept Lyceum in their two meetings with Nayve and Oczon combining for 31 points in their 86-69 win in their first round encounter while Gozum dropped a double-double in the second round to tow his side to a 100-88 victory.
And Lyceum head coach Gilbert Malabanan hopes his team would be on the winning side this time around.
Read more | NCAA Season 99 Preview: Enoch Valdez to steer Pirates' ship in Lyceum's campaign
"It will be very exciting kasi honestly, never talaga kami nanalo sa Benilde last season kaya masyadong excited 'yung mga players ko," Malabanan said.
"And all teams want to win kasi may kanya-kanya tayong goal and 'yung goal natin hindi natin makukuha kung 'di tayo mananalo. We are ready and I know that CSB is ready din."
("It will be very exciting because honestly, we were never able to beat Benilde last season so my players are excited... And all team want to win because we all have our own goals, and our goal, we can't reach it if we don't win. We are ready and I know that CSB is also ready.")
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
