Old rivals San Beda University and Colegio de San Juan will face off for one last time this season when they collide on Friday for the final elimination round game of NCAA Season 99 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Unlike in the past seasons, it will be a different rivalry match this time around.
The Red Lions, carrying an 11-6 card and are already assured of a Final Four spot, will take on the embattled Knights (2-15), who had been out of contention, in their 3:30 marquee match-up with the former just eyeing to head to the semifinals with a boosted morale.
Prior to that, also-ran squads San Sebastian College-Recoletos and Arellano University will look to end their respective campaigns on a high for their 1:30 p.m. encounter.
San Beda is among the hottest teams in the league right now, winning three straight games in a row against heavyweight teams in fellow semis cast De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and Lyceum of the Philippines University, as well as Jose Rizal University, after losing back-to-back games to top seed Mapua and Perpetual.
Leading the Red Lions is third year forward Yukien Andrada, who dropped two career-highs in a span of one week to breathe life back to the Mendiola crew. However, for San Beda head coach Yuri Escueta, there's no surprises to Andrada's resurgence.
"It's not a secret naman talaga (really). Yuki is as valuable as Jacob is in our team," Escueta said.
While they pulled off wins against two of the Final Four members, Escueta remained wary of the Knights, who have nothing to lose in the tournament aside from fighting for pride.
"Mas worried kami sa next game namin, Final Four dati eh. But again, Letran 'yun eh so kailangan naming paghandaan kagaya ng kung paano namin pinaghandaan 'yung ibang games namin." he added.
"Right now kahit sino na kalaban namin, every win is important eh."
(We are worried for our next game because it was a previous Final Four squad. But again, it is Letran so we still need to prepare like how we prepare other games. With whoever we are facing, every win is important.)
Letran is expected to field injured Kurt Reyson, who revealed he talked to head coach Rensy Bajar as well as their team doctor for his clearance to suit up.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
