MANILA, Philippines – For the first time in 20 years, neither San Beda nor Letran will feature in the NCAA men’s basketball finals.
The two winningest schools in league history were both denied of a title shot in Season 100 as top seed Mapua and second seed St. Benilde arranged a first-ever championship clash.
“We have to give it to Mapua and CSB, they’ve been dominant the whole eliminations. I just wish them the best of luck so may the best team win,” said Red Lions head coach Yuri Escueta.
Still in rebuilding mode after capturing three straight crowns in Seasons 95, 97, and 98 to raise their title tally to 20, the Knights missed the Final Four for the second year in a row after finishing at sixth place with an 8-10 record.
Meanwhile, San Beda — which won a record-extending 23rd title last season — clinched the third seed and ran into the twice-to-beat Blazers.
Hoping to drag Benilde to a sudden death, the Red Lions were instead dealt a 16-point beating as they bid goodbye to their title-retention bid.
With the two rivals both bowing out, it will be the first time that the finals will not involve either San Beda or Letran since the Philippine Christian University swept Perpetual for the Season 80 crown in 2004 .
It will also be the first time in 15 years that the champion will neither be the Red Lions nor the Knights, or since San Sebastian ruled Season 85 in 2009 by beating San Beda.
The Season 100 finals will see a school end a decades-long title drought, with the Cardinals eyeing their first championship since Season 67 in 1991 and the Blazers seeking to add to their lone crown in Season 76 in 2000.
Mapua came oh so close in Seasons 97 and 99 but lost in the finals to Letran and the Red Lions, respectively, while Benilde missed its title shot in Season 98 when it fell victim to the Knights.
“I guess for the NCAA, it’s good that this might be the first time in so long that San Beda or Letran won’t be the champion. At least, there’s going to be a new champion. Hopefully, it’s us,” said Blazers head coach Charles Tiu.
But is it a new dawn in the NCAA?
“I don’t think so. I think every year San Beda’s going to be there, you never count them out. Letran has some guys waiting next year. So those two teams will probably be in the mix of things. It may be a one-off thing,” said Tiu.
“Who knows? But us, we’re just focused on this year. I can’t speak for the future. You never know what can happen in basketball.”
The best-of-three championship series begins on December 1 at the Araneta Coliseum. – Rappler.com
