A new chapter in the fabled San Beda-Letran rivalry beckons.
From their collegiate wars, the two archrivals take their animosity to the PBA D-League as Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda and Wangs Basketball @27 Strikers-Letran clash in the semifinals of the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena.
Although the players and coaches have changed, Act I of their best-of-three series set at 2 p.m. is expected to be as explosive as their previous encounters in the past.
The two teams showed a glimpse of how this semifinals could play out way back in the eliminations when the Red Lions defeated the Knights, 90-87, on Yukien Andrada's game-winning trey at the buzzer.
But San Beda coach Yuri Escueta knows well duplicating that win is easier said than done, adding the semis is like a steep mountain that offers different challenges and will be hard to climb.
Sponsored content:
"Hindi kaming pwedeng mag-relax kasi dito sa PBA D-League playoffs, tumataas ang laro so dapat makasabay kami doon. We expect the games to be tougher. There's no room to relax," said Escueta.
San Beda is well-rested after a week-long break -- a luxury it enjoyed for earning an outright passage to the Final Four for topping the elims.
But the Knights are coming into the game knowing that momentum is on their side.
The Letran Knights withstood a tough challenge from Centro Escolar U and defeated the Scorpions,94-87, in overtime during their quarterfinals duel on Tuesday.
To say the least, the Knights are excited about the new challenge.
Sponsored content:
"We're very excited kasi San Beda makakalaban namin. They're the No. 1 team at 'yun ang nagmo-motivate sa amin," said neophyte coach Rensy Bajar.
"We need to stick with our defense na nagbibigay sa amin ng buhay at siyang kultura namin dito sa Letran." (JBU)
