San Beda University will have an underdog mentality when it opens its NCAA Season 99 campaign against Arellano University on Tuesday while San Sebastian College-Recoletos and Mapua University will begin their respective journeys.
The Red Lions will test their mettle against the rebuilding Chiefs in the opening salvo at 2 p.m. while the Stags and the Cardinals will close the double-header at 4 p.m. both at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
San Beda team captain Peter Alfaro said they don't see themselves as the usual perennial title contender the decorated Red Lions used to be tagged with in the past seasons as they look to bounce back from two missed finals appearances.
San Beda, surprisingly, has been missing from the championship round of Seasons 97 and 98, ending a stretch of 14 straight years of contending in the NCAA Finals. The last time the Red Lions missed the finals prior to this was in 2005.
Read more | NCAA Season 99 Preview: Retooled San Beda Red Lions hope busy offseason translates to great run
"We’re gonna have an underdog mentality. Knowing 'yung culture ng San Beda, lalaban at lalaban kami so ininstill namin 'yung underdog mentality," Alfaro said.
They will go up against an Arellano side that underwent some huge changes in the offseason.
The Chiefs hired a new coach in Chico Manabat, who took the reins from Cholo Martin, while only six players from the previous season will continue their stints with Arellano.
Read more | NCAA Season 99 Preview: Rebuilding Arellano Chiefs look to pick up the pieces
Despite that, team captain Danielle Mallari vowed that the Chiefs will compete.
"Just expect us to compete. It’s very challenging at first because new coach, new system. I’m very excited for the season," Mallari said.
Meanwhile, San Sebastian and Mapua, both of whom struggled last season, will look to start their campaigns on the right foot.
Read more | NCAA Season 99 Preview: Stags Alex Desoyo, San Sebastian vets hope to end collegiate run on a high
Similar to Arellano, the Stags will have a new coach in John Kallos but San Sebastian will bring back a veterans core led by Alex Desoyo, Romel Calahat, Jessie Sumoda, and James Una.
After a fifth-place finish last season, the Stags will hope to have a higher finish this time around. But challenging them right away are the Cardinals, whose chemistry and experience might spell the difference in the game.
Read more | NCAA Season 99 Preview: Mapua Cardinals eye to regain strength after lackluster campaign
Mapua, which reached the finals two seasons ago, will be led by Warren Bonifacio, Paolo Hernandez, and Clint Escamis.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
