Red Lions, Stags dispute second NCAA finals beth

MANILA, Philippines — San Beda and San Sebastian brace for a defensive battle as they collide in a playoff for the other finals berth in the 93rd NCAA basketball tournament with the Lions out to keep a league tradition at the MOA Arena in Pasay City today.

While the San Beda heads to the 3:30 p.m. fully rested after notching the No. 2 seed in the stepladder semis, San Sebastian will be coming into the match riding the momentum of a pair of huge playoff victories over the Letran Knights, 74-69, in their duel for No. 4 last Oct. 20 and the Jose Rizal Bombers, 85-73, in the first stepladder clash last Oct. 24.

The winner will set up a best-of-three title showdown with the Lyceum of the Philippines U Pirates, who advanced straight to the finals after an 18-game sweep of the double-round elims.

Expect a physical and low-scoring contest between the Lions, who hold their rivals to a league-best average of 65.8 points, and the Stags, who tote a third-best 70.2 norm.

“We all know San Beda plays really hard defense. But it’s the same with us,” said SSC coach Egay Macaraya.

Focus will be on SSC’s top gun Michael Calisaan, who San Beda mentor Boyet Fernandez described as a “dirty player,” a statement that didn’t sit well with Macaraya.

Both coaches, however, have vowed to focus on the task at hand.

“I have no problems with him (Fernandez), I’m just defending my player (Calisaan),” said Macaraya.

“We would like to focus on the game and give more concern on how we could preserve our tradition at San Beda,” said Fernandez.

The Lions have never missed the finals since 2006, winning all but two of the last 11 titles. They fell short in 2009 when they lost to the SSC squad led by Calvin Abueva, Ian Sangalang and Ronald Pascual. They also bowed to the Letran Knights in 2015.