MORE THAN JUST A GAME: Four reasons why the San Beda vs Letran in the NCAA Season 95 finals is fun to watch

Even before the opening tip of the NCAA Seaon 95 Finals, the talk of the town for the past four days is the reigniting the longstanding rivalry between the two old guards in San Beda and Letran. And on a sunny Tuesday afternoon by the Bay, there are stories that are too many to mention, but worth telling for everyone to read.

Together, they have won the men's basketball title thirty-nine times but ever since Sam Ekwe came to Mendiola in 2006, the Red Lions scooped all but two titles in its twelve-year streak with one of those losses came at the hands of the Knights four years ago.

While the Red Lions have paraded foreign-student athletes ever since the Nigerian's arrival, Letran stuck to its all-local core since they were in the league, but boy they can contend every year.

Here are the four reasons why this championship series is fun to watch, on and off the court.

1. Its winning history.

Need to say more about this? They are the two most decorated schools in the NCAA, end of story. Ever since the 1950s, they produced countless legends in Philippine Basketball, that only those the likes of Ateneo, La Salle, FEU and UST can match.

Letran has the Fox, Lauro Mumar and his Murder Inc., the Skywalker in Samboy Lim (who is a former Red Cub), Kevin Alas and Rey Nambatac that brought glory to Intramuros.

San Beda has the GOAT in Philippine Basketball in Carlos Loyzaga, which was followed by his sons Chito and Joey, the bruisers in Abe King to JB Yango, Jenkins Mesina and the unforgettable underdogs, Borgie Hermida, Baser Amer and others that brought the title back from the outskirts of the Palace.

The word LEGENDARY might not be enough for this.

2. The atmosphere.

Yes, they said the games in basketball can only be won on the court. But it is more than that in a rivalry game.

Yes, you can always say about class against crass, but this is why this match-up is a must watch in Philippine sports, because you can throw everything out of the window because it is a matter of pure, unadulterated pride.

While San Beda has the best half-time performance when those Little Indians bring out their axes, Letran is famous (or notorious if you call) for its ingenious and sardonic way of support in which the alumni have passed on the forbidden lyrics to the new generation.

Expect the Indian Yell being countered by Tulo Laway even before game-time as the MOA Arena will be packed to the rafters.

3. Settling the score (and the sweep too)

For team manager Jude Roque, forget the 18-0 record in the eliminations, because the Finals is back to zero. He is right after all, as a week ago even gave Letran the slightest advantage among the three teams in the stepladder.

And oh boy he was right, the Knights survive two cardiac games against San Sebastian and Lyceum to punch their ticket to the Finale.

With Lyceum's meltdown in 2017, San Beda knows that they would not repeat the same mistakes and get the chance to sweep it all again like what they did in 2010.

4. We've waited four years for this!

Although the Red Lions lead the all time series against Letran in the championship round, the  wound left by that painful 2015 title loss was still fresh in the minds for slotman Donald Tankoua, who were there when the Knights ended their ten-year drought and snapped their six-peat aspirations.

All they wanted was Revenge.

For Jerrick Balanza, it will be a fitting way for him to cap off his career with the way he started  it, with a banner hanging in Muralla. Being the lone holdover from the Mayhem Miracle of coach Aldin Ayo, he will bring  that championship experience to his motley crew of Muyang, Mina, Yu and Batiller to galvanize them.

Safe to say, they wanted to repeat.

IT WILL BE ALL TO PLAY FOR IN THE NCAA FINALS. HOP ON TO THE MOA ARENA TO WITNESS COLLEGE BASKETBALL RIVALRY UNLIKE ANY OTHER.

Photo by RedEye Photography