NCAA: Cards battle Lions

With an intact roster, San Beda opens its bid for a third straight championship in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament against host Mapua as action in the country’s oldest collegiate league unwraps today at the Araneta Coliseum.

The last-minute addition of talented rookie Jake Elvin Pascual made the Sam Ekwe-led Red Lions look better and tougher although the rest of the field, including the comebacking Philippine Christian U, are going all out to foil San Beda’s three-peat bid.

“Right now, we’re missing the team’s leader last year – Yousif Aljamal. But I believe we’ll do okay this season, especially with Elvin (Pascual) in,” said San Beda coach Frankie Lim.

It will be an early test of strength as San Beda takes on a Mapua team spearheaded by last year’s MVP Kelvin dela Peña in the 2 p.m. opener of a heavy four-game bill.

An elaborate opening rites will usher in the 84th staging of the event, to be highlighted by musical numbers with alumnus Bayani Fernando as guest speaker, according to Management Committee chair Ding Lozano of Mapua.

“It’s going to be an opening ceremony to watch,” said Lozano.

Members of the NCAA policy board, headed by league president Reynaldo Vea of Mapua, are also expected to grace the inaugurals.

“San Beda is still the team to beat but we’re not going to be far behind,” said Mapua mentor Leo Isaac. “Kelvin will have bigger responsibility now. He should be a team player this season.”

Jose Rizal University battles last year’s runner-up Letran at 4 p.m.; Perpetual Help collides with San Sebastian at 6 p.m. while league returnee PCU clashes with St. Benilde at 8 p.m.

The Dolphins, bannered by PBL hotshot Beau Belga, hope to come out strong on their return since their suspension last season for eligibility violations. The Taft-based school, however, will take an indefinite leave of absence next year.