The NCAA Final Four Matchup

My UAAP Finals prediction was close, but no cigar. However this is what makes blogging about basketball fun, and this time around, it'll be for the NCAA Final Four.

It has been finally settled. After all the delays and the playoff game, the defending champions San Beda Red Lions takes the Number one seed as they face of the Rey Guevarra-less Letran Knights as the San Sebastian Stags fights with the Jose Rizal Heavy Bombers.

San Beda College Red Lions vs Colegio de San Juan Letran Knights

The Red Lions are at an all-time high this season, taking the number 1 slot with consecutive victories after their loss to the Heavy Bombers by winning their last remaining games and forcing a playoff game against the Stags, who led the much of the season.

Meanwhile, things look pretty bleak for the Knights, as one of their leading scorers and Smart Gilas Stalwart Rey Guevarra will not play due to a knee injury sustained from their game last time out against the Red Lions.

Coach Frankie Lim would have to make sure his players do not get overconfident and need to maintain their composure against the very physical Letran Knights. The Red Lions must maintain their game of penetration and scoring on easy buckets and open jump shots. The guards of the Red Lions will have to perform as usual with John Hermida and Garvo Lanete leading the Lions' offense, and Sudan Daniel has to focus and do the dirty work inside. Dave Marcelo and Pascual must help Daniel inside and be assertive.

Meanwhile on defense, the Lions must limit RJ Jazul's production, as surely he will be the focal point of the Knights' offense and they must make sure they shut down the Knights' frontline and make it tough for them to score, as their scorings options is now down to a few players.

Coach Louie Alas has pretty much his work cut-out for his team, now that the Knights will not have Rey Guevarra in their matchup against the Lions, the focal point of the offense will surely be with RJ Jazul, and every little help he could get from his teammates will be much appreciated. Kirk Del Rosario must step it up a notch and so does John Foronda and Kris Alas must avoid foul trouble if possible as the Knights' frontline is not as deep compared to the Lions.

On defense, the Knights could take advantage of Daniel's moody character, and with the physical play of the Knights, this is pretty much possible. If they are able to make Daniel get the focus out of the game, then the Knights' frontline could take that advantage to score inside. They must also limit the production the Lions will make from their guards and shut down the passing lanes from their penetration.

Prediction: SBC will take this one, unless a miracle happens and someone from the Knights step-up.

San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags vs Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers

The second matchup is interesting, with the Stags ending on a losing skid from the eliminations and the playoff game heading into the matchup with the Heavy Bombers going easy and preparing for the Final Four.

Unlike their neighbors in Mendiola, the Stags are at an all-time low this season, getting back-to-back defeats for the first time this season against the Red Lions, and aside from that, Jimbo Aquino will most likely be suspended for what he did against San Beda's Jake Pascual.

On the other hand, things look good for the Heavy Bombers, having a long break preparing for the Final Four and even though they have to beat the Stags twice to advance to the Finals, their opponents are pretty much tired from two exhausting and close games against the Red Lions.

This will be coach Ato Agustin's first ever Final Four appearance, and also for the Stags in a while. However, their leading scorer Jimbo Aquino will not be with them for the first game of the Final Four therefore, Calvin Abueva, and Ronald Pascual must step-up and taking the scoring slack for the Stags. The guards Anthony Del Rio and Pamboy Raymundo must trigger their high octane offense that has been missing against the Red Lions and setup Ian Sangalang and Gilbert Bulawan on the inside for those easy buckets.

On defense, they must limit the outside shooting of MVP candidate John Wilson and Marc Cagoco while keeping the pressure inside. Abueva also must make his presence felt inside, along with Sangalang and Bulawan to matchup against the frontline of James Sena, John Njei and Marvin Hayes and make sure that they keep the game close.

Meanwhile experience is on the Heavy Bombers' side, being a finalist a year ago and most of the core of that lineup intact, the Heavy Bombers will rely again on John Wilson's all around game while Marc Cagoco must make sound decisions on the court. James Sena must step-up in this game and assert himself inside. Marvin Hayes and John Njei will do the dirty work and grab those second chance points for the Bombers. The Bombers must limit their turnovers too to prevent those fastbreak points for the Stags.

On defense, Njei and Hayes must prevent those easy baskets for the Stags' frontline and grab those defensive rebounds. The guards of the Bombers must pressure the Stags' backcourt and make them earn their points or forces some turnovers and take advantage of the fatigue factor from the get go.

Prediction: JRU will take this one, with the inexperience and fatigue factor for the Stags and the experience JRU has, this will be a learning experience for them and also, for their coach Ato Agustin.

Letran Deals San Sebastian their First Loss This Season

It was just a matter of time. The Letran Knights, led by their two Smart Gilas staltwarts, RJ Jazul and Rey Guevarra as the patented full court press defense of the Knights was used to stop the San Sebastian Golden Stags 80-63, as the Knights improve to 12-5 and deals a blow to an automatic ticket to the Finals for the Stags as they go 15-1.

The game started with 2 technical fouls with 8 minutes left into the first canto, as both teams accounted for 9 technical fouls in the first half, as the rivalry of the Knights and the Stags gets a revival as both teams implied tough defense in the first half with a low scoring game of 30-25, in favor of Letran.

Letran started to breakout in the third, as they have pushed the lead as far as 12 points but Calvin Abueva made sure that did not happen, as he led the Stags comeback and keeping the game in striking distance as the Stags trailed by 9, 53-44 heading into the fourth.

By then, fatigue and frustation showed into the Stags as Letran showed their experience and pulled away in the fourth and frustrated San Sebastian hotshot Jimbo Aquino. The Stags felt the pressure and physicality as they shot poorly from the free throw line.

With the Stags losing, this means the spot for the number 1 of the standings is still open, as they face two opponents who would want to get on top of the eliminations, Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers on September 28 and San Beda Red Lions on the last game of the eliminations on October 7. Both of these teams are at 14-2 and this means that the rankings in the Final Four is still not settled.

Stags Re-writes History as they beat the Chiefs to go 15-0 in the NCAA Eliminations

The San Sebastian Golden Stags drubbed the Arellano University Chiefs 100-66 as Ian Sangalang led the Stags with 28 markers as the Stags writes history for a 15-0 record, the longest winning streak in the NCAA which also puts Rookie Head Coach Ato Agustin with the best start as a coach ever in the NCAA.

The Stags just dominated the game. not giving the Chiefs a single chance of making a comeback as Calvin Abueva added 12 points and 8 rebounds while giving a suffocating full-court press defense against the Chiefs as the Stags aim to get away from the rest of the pack and get that perfect sweep in the Eliminations to get an automatic Finals berth, but this will not be easy as they will face on the the Letran Knights, the JRU Heavy Bombers and the SBC Red Lions in their last 3 games of the Eliminations.

Meanwhile in the first game, the Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals beats the Emilio Aguinaldo Generals 87-69 to improve to 4-12 as the Generals fell to 5-12 record.

Games on Wednesday will be the Angeles University Foundation Great Danes taking on the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers at 2pm as the College of Saint Benilde Blazers take on the San Beda Red Lions at 4pm. The Heavy Bombers and the Red Lions aim to win as both teams fight for that 2nd place and that twice-to-beat advantage heading into the Final Four.

The NCAA Pre Final Four : Who says the NCAA is not as good as the UAAP? II

The UAAP Final Four starts this Saturday, and while the NCAA's season is still running, the Final Four teams of the NCAA is now settled, San Sebastian Stags, Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, San Beda Red Lions, and the Letran Knights are in the Final Four. Although it seems the Final Four teams are now clinched, it does not mean the remaining games of the NCAA have no bearings and pretty much boring games, in fact it is the opposite, especially with the four teams in the Final Four and the Arellano University Chiefs, the most successful of the three guest teams this season. Let's have an outlook at each team's remaining games and see their chances in the Final Four.

1. San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags - If there were no guest teams this season and this was a usual conventional season of the NCAA, the Stags would have been in the Finals already with their 14-0 card. The Stags were not seen to be this big, but Rookie coach Ato Agustin was able to form this team and build on the last season's good campaign to revive the Stags' winning tradition. Although they are set on going 18-0, it will not be easy, as the face the top 5 teams in the last 4 games. They are set to take on Arellano, Letran, Jose Rizal and San Beda in the final game of the season. This is no easy task if the Stags wants a ticket at an outright Finals berth but if the Stags will be able to write history, this is something that could never happen again in a long time for Philippine Basketball, especially with a Rookie Head Coach in Ato Agustin.

2. Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers - After beating the Red Lions to regain the number 2 slot, the chances of securing the number two slot seems bright for JRU, as they warm up against the Angeles University Foundation Great Danes to prepare for the big matchup against the undefeated Stags, which will be crucial to both teams placing in the standings for the Final Four. This is a big game for JRU if they wish to maintain a top two spot this season, they must get this one against the San Sebastian Golden Stags. The Bombers will end the Eliminations against the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, as they have this big chance of securing the number two slot with a lighter schedule than the Red Lions.

3. San Beda Red Lions - Losing to the Heavy Bombers does not help their campaign this season, especially on getting that crucial second spot for the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four. The Lions have a chance to get back on winning track as they face the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, but then things will start to get rough as they next face the Colegio de San Juan Letran Knights, and the San Sebastian Golden Stags. The Red Lions' schedule is tougher than the Heavy Bombers but this will be a test of their character as a team heading into the Final Four as they aim to get that number two spot.

4. Colegio de San Juan Letran Knights - Well well well, the Chiefs have shot themselves in the foot, and this means the Letran Knights have clinched the Final Four slot. Now, the Knights has a very very slim chance for the number 2 slot if the Heavy Bombers or the Red Lions lose their three remaining games, which is very unlikely as these two teams are fighting to win games to get that number 2 seed themselves. The Knights face off two of their biggest rivals, the Golden Stags and the Red Lions to end their season and to prepare for their Final Four encounter.

5. Arellano University Chiefs - I take back what I said on the first article, they did not show any heart and passion on the game against the Mapua Cardinals as they ended their Final Four chances by losing to the Cardinals badly, 74-59. What seems to be a successful first apperance is now starting to become a disappointment, as the Chiefs are now on a 4 game losing skid and this streak might extend to 5 as they face on the San Sebastian Stags next. They can still duke it out on the last two games against the University of Perpetual Help Altas and the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals to end the season on a winning note.

The NCAA Pre-Final Four : Who says the NCAA is not as good as the UAAP?

The UAAP Final Four starts this Saturday, and while the NCAA's season is still running, the Final Four teams of the NCAA is pretty much settled, while guest team Arellano University Chiefs are keeping their hopes alive, San Sebastian Stags, Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, San Beda Red Lions, and the Letran Knights are in most likely in the Final Four. Although it seems pretty much settled, it does not mean the remaining games of the NCAA have no bearings and pretty much boring games, in fact it is the opposite, especially with the five teams in contention for the Final Four. Let's have an outlook at each team's remaining games and see their chances in the Final Four.

1. San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags - If there were no guest teams this season and this was a usual conventional season of the NCAA, the Stags would have been in the Finals already with their 14-0 card. The Stags were not seen to be this big, but Rookie coach Ato Agustin was able to form this team and build on the last season's good campaign to revive the Stags' winning tradition. Although they are set on going 18-0, it will not be easy, as the face the top 5 teams in the last 4 games. They are set to take on Arellano, Letran, Jose Rizal and San Beda in the final game of the season. This is no easy task if the Stags wants a ticket at an outright Finals berth but if the Stags will be able to write history, this is something that could never happen again in a long time for Philippine Basketball, especially with a Rookie Head Coach in Ato Agustin.

2. Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers - After beating the Red Lions to regain the number 2 slot, the chances of securing the number two slot seems bright for JRU, as they warm up against the Angeles University Foundation Great Danes to prepare for the big matchup against the undefeated Stags, which will be crucial to both teams placing in the standings for the Final Four. This is a big game for JRU if they wish to maintain a top two spot this season, they must get this one against the San Sebastian Golden Stags. The Bombers will end the Eliminations against the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, as they have this big chance of securing the number two slot with a lighter schedule than the Red Lions.

3. San Beda Red Lions - Losing to the Heavy Bombers does not help their campaign this season, especially on getting that crucial second spot for the twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four. The Lions have a chance to get back on winning track as they face the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, but then things will start to get rough as they next face the Colegio de San Juan Letran Knights, and the San Sebastian Golden Stags. The Red Lions' schedule is tougher than the Heavy Bombers but this will be a test of their character as a team heading into the Final Four as they aim to get that number two spot.

4. Colegio de San Juan Letran Knights - They pretty much have secured the number 4 slot, but it will still not be easy as their last two remaining games will be against the top 3 of the league, the San Sebastian Golden Stags and San Beda Red Lions. The Knights will be hoping that the Golden Stags will finish off the Arellano University Chiefs to secure their Final Four slot, as the chiefs will be having a pretty much light schedule. So unless an upset happens and the Knights and Chiefs will battle for a playoff spot, it is likely that the Knights will be at the number 4 slot come the end of the Elimination round.

5. Arellano University Chiefs - The guest team of the NCAA this season is making sure that their appearance in the last Philippine Collegiate Championship top 8 is no fluke, by having a 7-7 record and still having a slim chance at making the Final Four while wishing for Letran to lose its final two games, the Chiefs pretty much have a chance at it, as they start off against the Mapua Institute of Technology Cardinals, and then the crucial game against the San Sebastian Golden Stags, and in case of an upset and they beat the Stags, they pretty much have a light schedule as they face the University of Perpetual Help Altas and the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals to top off a successful first season appearance in the NCAA.