Huge turnout expected in SBC-Letran clash

If ticket sales would be any gauge, the Letran-San Beda College encounter tomorrow would be a surefire hit.

While students, alumni and supporters of both schools have to wait for two more days before the big game after Wednesday’s matches were called off due to heavy rains, the Management Committee of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is still expecting a big crowd at the 6,000-seater Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

"Their rivalry is actually the oldest in the country as far as team sports competition is concerned," said NCAA Mancom chairman Bernie Atienza of host school College of St. Benilde.

The Knights and the Red Lions collide at 4 p.m. with the former eyeing a sweep of the first round action and the latter seeking a share of the lead.

Hardly affected by the departure of six veteran players, the Knights are drawing solid games from mainstays Aaron Aban, Boyet Bautista, Andro Quinday and Mark Balneg.

For the Red Lions, the presence of 6-foot-8 Nigerian rookie Sam Ekwe has firmed up their bid for the first crown since 1978.

According to 82nd NCAA finance officer Benson Bocboc, aside from the 6,000 sure-seats, the league will add 600 more tickets at the General Admission section. Of the 6,000 tickets, 1,000 went to Letran and 1,200 went to San Beda.

"It’s actually the schools who asked the number of tickets. We had a feed-back that with the resumption of classes (yesterday), students were already lining up to buy tickets, while alumni made reservations," he said.

In other games, Mapua faces Jose Rizal U at 2 p.m., while the Red Cubs clash against the Squires in the lone junior’s match at 6 p.m.

 The last time the Knights and the Red Lions disputed the NCAA title was in 1950, when Larry Mumar powered Letran against San Beda, led by Caloy Loyzaga.