San Beda University and Colegio de San Juan de Letran will embark into a new chapter of their storied rivalry while Lyceum of the Philippines University looks to remain immaculate on Friday in the NCAA Season 99.
Gametime is at 4 p.m. with San Beda taking on a winless Letran side while Lyceum tackles Arellano University at 2 p.m. at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Currently at 2-1, San Beda will square off with the Knights, who have yet to win a single game in three outings after uncharacteristically falling to Jose Rizal University on opening day before absorbing losses at the hands of Lyceum and Emilio Aguinaldo College.
The Red Lions, meanwhile, are coming off a morale-boosting 83-77 victory against De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, which was the same school that beat them thrice last season. San Beda also swept Letran last year, winning in two of their meetings for a one-sided head-to-head.
Tipped to carry the load for San Beda is third year gunner Jacob Cortez, who leads the Red Lions with 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steals while Yukien Andrada and James Payosing are expected to provide the help.
Letran, on the other hand, is headed by the veteran duo of Kurt Reyson and Pao Javillonar, who are averaging 14.0 and 11.0 markers apiece and 3.33 and 4.67 boards each.
But San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta is wary of the hungry Knights.
"Everytime you play Letran, of course, you have to prepare," Escueta said.
"We played them a lot during the preseason, we played them a lot last year, and it's always going to be a tough game. Team standing doesn't matter. The good thing about it is we have four days to prepare."
Meanwhile, Lyceum will open the double-header against Arellano in bid to preserve its unbeaten run.
The Pirates are coming off an 83-72 escape of San Sebastian College-Recoletos last Tuesday with usual suspects John Barba, Shawn Umali, Enoch Valdez, and JM Bravo showing the way for the mighty Pirates.
They have now improved to 4-0 to remain as the only team to have an untainted record.
The Chiefs, on the other hand, are on the other extreme side of the team standings at 0-3 after falling prey to San Beda, San Sebastian, and Perpetual. With a rebuilding team, guard Jeadan Ongotan and big man Lorenz Capulong are the top two scorers for Arellano while Jade Talapampas, one of the few holdovers, proved his worth recently during the 85-66 loss to the ALTAs.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
