Lions vs Knights: A peek into title duel?

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda and Letran collide today for school pride and the lead in what could be a preview of a title rematch between the league’s most titled teams in the 89th NCAA men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The showdown, set at 6 p.m., marks the first time the Red Lions and the Knights will face each other this season since the former swept the latter to secure a league best 17th championship while completing their second three-peat in the last decade.

Letran slid to second overall with the most number of crowns with 16 with the Knights raring to get back at their arch-rivals.

While San Beda and Letran, tied at first with 7-1 (win-loss) records, had tapped new coaches in Boyet Fernandez and Caloy Garcia in place of Ronnie Magsanoc and Louie Alas, respectively, both teams practically kept their rosters intact.

“There’s a lot of school pride at stake,” said Fernandez.

“It’s my first year at Letran I can feel how my players feel and I know they are all eager to play San Beda,” said Garcia.

San Beda hopes to ride the momentum of its six-game streak after a shaky 1-1 start while the Knights seek to bounce back from a 66-80 setback to the Perpetual Help Altas that ended a seven-game sweep.

The featured match is also expected to be a low-scoring game since San Beda and Letran are the league’s top defensive teams, holding down their opponents to averages of 60.3 and 65.9 points.

“I have to give credit to the boys for our defense, it’s the reason why we are where we are right now,” said Fernandez.

“Through the years, Letran has been known for playing tough defense and I made sure we didn’t change that reputation,” said Garcia.

Meanwhile, Jose Rizal tries to firm up its hold of the fourth spot as it plays a struggling Arellano U side in the 4 p.m. opener.

The Bombers, a rookie-laden team, emerged as the league’s biggest surprise thus far, posting a 5-3 record despite the absence of a foreign reinforcement that has been the league’s norm the last few years.

“Perhaps, we haven’t been scouted yet,” said Jose Rizal mentor Vergel Meneses in downplaying his team’s impressive start. “But overall, we’re winning because of our defense and hustle and we hope to continue playing like that and maybe we can sneak in to the Final Four.”

The Chiefs, in contrast, have dropped their last four outings for a 2-6 card following a strong pre-season showing.

Arellano U may also suit up without its top player Fil-Canadian James Forrester, who is expected to be assessed a one-game suspension for fighting Emilio Aguinaldo rookie Sydney Onwubere in a 63-79 loss last week.

League commissioner Joe Lipa will review the video tapes today and decide on the merits before their duel.