Stags, Lions teams to beat in NCAA 2010

MANILA, Philippines - Titleholder San Sebastian and former three-peat champion San Beda have been installed as the teams to beat in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament which unfolds June 26 at the Araneta Coliseum.

With just minor changes in their respective rosters, the Stags and the Red Lions indeed loom large in the upcoming 86th season of the country’s oldest varsity league which features nine teams.

The high-leaping Calvin Abueva is expected to lead San Sebastian’s back-to-back title drive while San Beda is tipped to use its experience to the hilt with a veteran crew headed by American behemoth Sudan Daniel as it tries to regain the crown.

“As usual, San Sebastian and San Beda will be the teams to beat because they’re returning with their core this season,” said Jose Rizal coach Vergel Meneses, the former PBA star who took over from Ariel Vanguardia late last year, in Filipino.

The Stags, handled by Ato Agustin, will also have Ronald Pascual, Gilbert Bulawan, John Raymundo, Ian Sangalang and Dave Najorda in the fold with only last year’s Finals MVP Jimbo Aquino out after completing his five-year stint in the league.

San Beda, meanwhile, hopes to get back at Jose Rizal U right in the opening day. The Bombers beat the Lions in the quarterfinals of the Filoil tournament.

“We lost in the quarterfinals of the Filoil to Jose Rizal. We need to go back to work and prepare for the NCAA. Anyway, we’ll play Jose Rizal in the opening, hopefully we could get back at them,” said SBC coach Frankie Lim.

“Of course, San Sebastian, Jose Rizal, Perpetual Help and Letran will be the teams to beat. Mapua should also be contender. But let me warn you, all schools have improved since I got here three years ago, every year the competition is improving and getting tougher,” Lim said

Fellow coaches Boris Aldeguer of Perpetual Help and Nomar Isla of Emilio Aguinaldo College agree.

“The teams to beat are San Sebastian, San Beda, Jose Rizal and Mapua but that is not discounting the other teams because I think anyone can beat anyone this season,” said Aldeguer, whose Altas made it to the semifinals of the 16th Fr. Martin Cup.

“I can see that San Sebastian can still dominate with Jose Rizal and San Beda not far behind. The last Final Four spot will be a tossup among the remaining teams so don’t count all of us out,” Isla said.

The Stags take on the Letran Knights in the inaugurals kicking off at 2 p.m. while the Lions and the Bombers tangle at 4 p.m.

Action shifts to The Arena in San Juan on June 27 with Mapua tackling Perpetual Help at 2 p.m. and Arellano U and EAC, now regular members on probationary status, facing off at 4 p.m.