The UAAP x NCAA Challenge: A Good Test for the Red Lions

The last time the San Beda Red Lions faced the Ateneo Blue Eagles in a televised basketball game, the Blue Eagles eliminated the Red Lions in the semifinals of the PCCL last year despite San Beda wining the first game of the series. Of course, there was the practice game between two sweepers of their respective leagues as they were preparing for whoever they will meet in the finals of their respective leagues. That game, by the way, was won by Ateneo: 3 quarters to 1. 

Of course, we all know how each of their finals went by. Ateneo completed a rare perfect season by sweeping the UST Growling Tigers in two games while the Red Lions lost  Game 1 of the NCAA Finals, won Game 2, then came within a possession or two to win Game 3. In the end, the Red Lions' 18-0 run during the elimination round was for naught as it was the Letran Knights who emerged as champions of Season 95 of the NCAA. 

Fast forward to 2020,  the Red Lions endured the departure of Evan Nelle who will now play for the De La Salle Green Archers. And then, the Red Lions management has to quash the rumors that they were internal problems among the Red Lions. 

While San Beda is still poised to return to their status as a championship contender in the upcoming NCAA season, they will need to redeem themselves first in the upcoming PCCL beginning with the UAAPxNCAA Challenge. And the first team to face the Boyet Fernandez-mentored San Beda squad will be the team that kicked them out of the semifinals last year: the Blue Eagles.  

However, this will be a very much different Ateneo team that the Red Lions will face today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

This BLue Eagles squad will no longer have Thirdy Ravena, the Nieto twins, Isaac Go, and Adrian Wong with the latter 4 now PBA-bound. Ravena, a 3-time Finals MVP, is still looking for offers from international leagues but is currently a part of the training pool of Gilas Pilipinas for the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers. Fortunately, Angelo Kouame is still there. So is Gian Mamuyac and SJ Belangel. Oh, and don't forget about the sharpshooting Tyler Tio, the big guy Pat Madenberg and the rest of the returning core of last year's UAAP champs. And yes, Ateneo will be bringing new guy, Dwight Ramos, into the fold so that's big.

On the other hand, the Red Lions will, of course, have reigning MVP, Calvin Oftana, James Canlas and the rest of last year's core. They are practically the same team minus Evan Nelle of course. 

The top 2 finishers in the said UAAPxNCAA challenge will advance to the Final 4 of the PCCL. so this will be a good test for the Red Lions- keeping in mind that they will also face the Knights tomorrow. 

Photo is from Rappler