Laro sa Sabado
(Mall of Asia Arena)
2 p.m. San Beda vs Perpetual Help
4 p.m. Lyceum vs SBC
Season 94 NCAA Men’s Basketball
MANILA, Philippines — Halos lahat ng mga coaches ay itinuring ang defending champion San Beda Red Lions, runner-up noong nakaraang taon Lyceum Pirates at St. Benilde Blazers bilang title favorites sa Season 94 ng National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) basketball tournament na magbubukas ngayong Sabado sa Mall of Asia Arena sa Pasay City.
Kapwa ipaparada ng Red Lions at Pirates ang halos intact na line-up kaya’t nanatiling malakas at malaki ang tsansa na dominahin ang liga.
Ang Red Lions ni coach Boyet Fernandez ay runner-up sa eventual champion Ateneo Blue Eagles sa nakalipas lamang na 2018 FilOil Pre-Season tournament kung saan umabot naman sa semifinals ang St. Benilde Blazers ni coach TY Tang.
Marami rin ang nagsasabing mas malakas ngayon ang Pirates ni coach Topex Robinson bunga ng kanilang tagumpay sa nakaraang 2018 PBA D-League Aspirant’s Cup at sa 2018 PCCL tournament.
“All the teams have improved. I’m not going to pick a team to beat, but I know all the teams now are stronger than last year so we all have equal chances,” sabi ni Fernandez sa ginanap na press conference kahapon sa MOA Arena.
Para naman kay coach Robinson, halos lahat ng sampung koponan ay may tsansa dahil lahat naman ay parehas ang ginawang preparasyon.
“Of course, we are aiming for the crown but I’m sure all teams have also equal chances for the crown,” ayon kay Robinson na nabigong ma-sweep ang double round elimination noong nakaraang taon matapos matalo sa Red Lions.
Bukod sa San Beda University Red Lions, Lyceum of the Philippines Pirates at College of St. Benilde Blazers, ang ibang koponan ay ang host University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) Altas, Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights, Mapua University Cardinals, San Sebastian College Stags, Arellano University Chiefs, Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers at Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals.