Mapua University and San Beda University, two of the hottest teams in the NCAA Season 100, will figure in a highly-anticipated finals rematch on Tuesday as the league heads to the Mall of Asia Arena for a rare triple-header to close out the first round.
The well-rested Cardinals (6-2) and the defending champions Red Lions (5-3) will meet for the first time since the latter ruled the previous season last year in their 2:30 p.m. encounter.
Before the marquee clash, league-leading De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde will look to regain its winning ways when it takes on Jose Rizal University at 11 a.m. while Emilio Aguinaldo College and San Sebastian College-Recoletos cap off the first round at 5 p.m.
All eyes, however, are expected to be on San Beda and Mapua.
Both the Red Lions and the Cardinals are eyeing to preserve their winning streak with the former coming off their first back-to-back wins of the season after picking up key wins against rival Letran and Final Four contender Perpetual last week.
Sophomore high-flying big man Jomel Puno was at the forefront of the Red Lions, pouring in a career-high game against the Knights before shining on both ends in their nail-biting win over the ALTAs.
And they will want no less than another victory.
"Getting a string of wins is helpful for us. Being in the top four at the end of the first round, whatever position that is, is always good for us," San Beda head coach Yuri Esceuta said.
"And hopefully, sabi ko nga, let’s just keep getting better and finish the first round strong and as the season progresses, hopefully everybody starts buying into our offense and defense."
The Cardinals, meanwhile, will march onto the game with well-rested bodies after copping third of their three-game streak last Wednesday against Arellano University. Prior to that, the Cardinals also cruised to narrow victories against San Sebastian and JRU behind reigning MVP Clint Escamis.
Exacting revenge on their Season 99 finals tormentor would be enough motivation for the Cardinals.
"Una, rest muna tapos pagbalik ng ensayo syempre may gigil pa rin, may hunger pa rin kasi hindi pa rin nawawala ‘yung sakit na binigay nila sa amin last year," Escamis said.
"So i-instill namin ‘yun sa mga rookies namin."
In the first game, the Blazers will look to recover from a 73-71 loss to the Chiefs last Friday, which handed them their second two-point loss of the season.
Eager to give them their third loss would be the Heavy Bombers, who are inspired after eking out a convincing 75-63 triumph over EAC with big man Joshua Guiab displaying his brilliance with a huge double-double outing.
To cap off the first half of the basketball season, both the Generals and the Stags are tipped to go all out and all in as they both try to end their respective first round runs on a high note.
San Sebastian is reeling from a tough six-game losing streak after an impressive 2-0 start to the season while EAC is also eyeing to return to the win column after bowing to the Pirates last time out.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
