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DEFENDING champion San Beda Red Lions start their
title-retention bid when they meet host Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers in
opening game of the 83rd National Collegiate Athletic Association
basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Red Lions, who ended a long
28-year title drought by beating the now suspended Philippine
Christian Dolphins, 2-1, last year, meet the Heavy Bombers at 2
p.m., right after the opening ceremonies at 1 p.m.
“It’s going to be another
banner year for the NCAA. Although, we cannot say we can surpass
last year’s success, I’m sure we can match it,” said NCAA
management committee chairman Paul Sufan of the host Jose Rizal
University.
Mapua, seeking its first crown
since 1992, will be facing 16-time titlist Letran Knights at 4 p.m.,
while Perpetual Help Altas boosted by the presence of Indonesian
twin-tower 6’6 Ryan Freeyan and 6’9 Thoyab Isman will be up
against San Sebastian College at 6 p.m.
“Our 16-day stint with Carson
University in California, USA as part of our preparations at was
also a team-building for the team. The team’s confidence is high
and we are aiming to duplicate our golden finish last year,” said
new coach Frankie Lim.
Lim, team manager of the Talk
’N Text Phone Pals in the PBA and a former professional standout
with U-Tex, replaced Koy Banal in the San Beda bench.
“There is pressure for me
because we are the defending champion. But it will not really affect
the team. We will just take everything one at a time,” added Lim,
who has 11 veterans and four rookies in the team.
Last year’s MVP-Rookie of the
Year Samuel Ekwe of Nigeria led San Beda to a roaring 12 straight
victories en route to topping the double-round elimination and No. 1
spot in the Final Four.
“We will be there fighting for
the best. That’s what we can assure to everyone one, we will fight
to the finish,” said JRU coach Ariel Vanguardia.  --Frank
Calapre
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