NCAA FINALS GAME 1 ON

DEFENDING champion San Beda University guns for its fourth straight title against a red-hot Letran Game One of the best-of-three Finals of the National Collegiate Athletic Association seniors basketball tournament on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Fireworks are expected from the get-go as the four-peat seeking Red Lions and fierce rival Knights open their series at 4 p.m.

San Beda swept its way to the Finals, but the Red Lions refuse to let complacency swallow their campaign.

“It’s a different story when it’s San BedaLetran,” said Letran skipper Jerrick Balanza, who was a rookie when his team triumphed four years ago under coach Aldin Ayo. “Expect a classic duel, right in Game One.”

The Red Lions are coming off a long rest after completing an 18-game sweep of eliminations. Despite the overwhelming odds, the Knights are determined to raise championship banner No. 18.

And that worries San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez and his Letran counterpart Bonnie Tan stressing the need for his Knights to spread the ball to conquer their foes.

Graduating standouts Balanza and Bonbon Batiller, as well as vastly-improved Fran Yu and big man Larry Muyang, were solid for Letran, especially in the step-ladder wins against San Sebastian and Lyceum of the Philippines University where they displayed tremendous composure.

“I’m happy that they executed the system,” Tan said.

Gunning for a league-best 23rd title, the Red Lions couldn’t lower their guards against the hungry Knights.

Even with the graduation of Robert Bolick and Javee Mocon, San Beda still dominated behind soon-to-be crowned Most Valuable Player Calvin Oftana and the young backcourt duo of James Canlas and Evan Nelle.

One big advantage for the defensive-minded Red Lions is Cameroonian slotman Donald Tankoua, the 2017 Finals MVP who is seeking to end his collegiate stint as winner.