Games today (Araneta Coliseum)

2 p.m. – CSB vs SBC (jrs finals)
4 p.m. - SSC–R vs SBC (srs finals)


SAN Sebastian is looking for payback. San Beda is looking to prove itself.

The two teams that won the NCAA men’s basketball championships the last two years get it on starting today when Game 1 of their best-of-three title series comes off the wraps at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Stags want to avenge their loss to the Red Lions last season, one which saw the Mendiola-based school complete a historic 18-game sweep en route to regaining the crown.

But the Lions are just as eager to win as they’re out to show to every one and sundry their ability to retain their title even in the absence of star player Sudan Daniel, who has yet to suit up this season after suffering an ACL injury.

The third straight championship meeting between the two proud schools starts at 4 p.m., shortly after the series opener of the juniors finals between streaking San Beda Red Cubs and CSB La Salle Greenies.

San Sebastian coach Topex Robinson will try to duplicate Ato Agustin’s feat in 2009 when he steered the Stags to a championship in his rookie season.

“I’m humbled and blessed by this experience.  It’s gonna be hard. There were times that I almost want to quit, but I told myself I don’t want to give up,” said Robinson, a part of the Stags’ five straight championships in the 90s as a player.

Even though San Sebastian lost its last two meetings with San Beda this season, Robinson is confident that things would be different this time around.

“We will just slug it, fight it and just never give up, whatever it takes.  We have to believe,” he added.

The fourth winningest team in the league, San Sebastian is aiming for a 13th championship.

Meanwhile on his fifth straight championship appearance, Lions coach Frankie Lim is ready for another tough challenge.

“The whole year, ang plano namin ay going towards a championship in the NCAA,” said Lim.

“Since November last year, we’ve been working very hard to get ourselves and the whole team ready for the NCAA Finals. Ito na yun, no looking back,” he added.

San Beda is seeking to tie Letran as the league’s winningest squad in the seniors division. The Knights have the most number of titles with 16.

The Stags will lean on the ‘Big 3’ of Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang and Ronald Pascual along with their supporting cast of veteran guard Anthony del Rio, Lyle Antipuesto and enforcer Michael Miranda.

Garvo Lanete and Rome dela Rosa are again expected to deliver on offense for the Lions, while big men Dave Marcelo, Jake Pascual and twin brothers Anthony and David Semerad, who all ably filled the void left by Daniel, should show their aggressiveness in the paint.

In case of a long series, San Beda’s deep bench, which contributed a lot in the homestretch of the eliminations and in the playoffs, will be very crucial.

“We’re good. My boys are in pretty good shape, and they know the urgency,” said Lim, who called the shots for the Lions since 2007.