As the first round of the NCAA Season 99 Seniors Basketball Tournament nears its end, San Beda University seems to be in perfect form.
The Red Lions’ 76-53 victory over San Sebastian College Recoletos was the latest in their three-game winning streak. They barely managed to scrape past a tough matchup against the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, winning 62-60 in the previous game, and narrowly defeated a physical Jose Rizal University squad with a score of 74-70 the week before.
Their recent winning streak has given them a significant advantage in the race for the Final Four against other contenders, as they have climbed to a 6-2 record for the season, securing second place in the standings.
However, Escueta believes their biggest challenge in the first round is still ahead of them.
On the final day of the first round, the Red Lions are scheduled to play against the gritty Emilio Aguinaldo College. In any other season, the perennial contenders from San Beda would have dismissed the matchup against the Generals, a school that has never reached the final four in the history of the NCAA.
This year, however, the Generals entered the season with a revamped system introduced by their new head coach, Jerson Cabiltes. Under Cabiltes’ leadership, EAC started the season with a 5-3 record, transforming themselves into a surprise contender after being the worst team in the league last season.
Based on what Escueta has seen from EAC in the first round, he believes that Cabiltes and his squad pose a threat unlike any San Beda has faced in their Season 99 journey.
“EAC will be the biggest challenge in the first round for us, especially since they are coming off a win against CSB.
“With only one day of rest, we have to be ready and prepared for them. Coach Jerson has really coached them well, and the players have responded excellently to him. We need to be prepared because in the NCAA, you can’t afford not to be ready,” explained Escueta.
On the other side of the matchup, the Generals are highly motivated to end their 13-year winless streak against the Red Lions, who have dominated EAC in their previous 25 meetings.
“Kailangan talaga namin manalo ng last game kasi Mapua has one loss, then San Beda has two losses,” declared Cabiltes.
“Kailangan manalo kami over them, and ang message ko lang naman sa kanila: End the 13 years drought against San Beda.”
With both teams in peak form, the Red Lions and the Generals are set to face each other on Sunday at 12:20 p.m. at the Filoil Ecooil Centre.
