The 2012 Finals of the National Collegiate Athletic (–foul word(s) removed–)ociation (NCAA) between the San Beda Red Lions and the Letran Knights will begin at around 6:00 PM, October 18, 2012.
For the very first time after the five-year history of the league, two of the winningest teams in the collegiate league with a total of 16 titles each will be facing against each other in a highly-anticipated Finals match-up.
The winning team will be adjudged as the most titled squad in the country’s oldest collegiate league. San Beda coach Ronnie Magsanoc is confident to win the title after his predecessor Frankie Lim won a back-to-back titles for the past two years.
The Red Lions made some astonishing achievements for the past few years after they make it to the finals of the competition for the seventh straight time, winning five of the last six championship. They will be vying also for a second three-peat in the last seven years to proved their status as the league’s dominant team.
In contrast to the Red Lions achievement, Letran is really hungry for the crown and they wanted a payback. The Knights last made the finals five years ago but they were dominated by the Red Lions.
Letran Coach Louie Alas is optimistic with the capacity of his team to capture the championship, he was instrumental in the Knights who came from a stumbling crew in the early day of the elimination into a serious title-contender following a eight-game winning run, including a win over the no. 2 rank San Sebastian Stags.
The Red Lions is now trying to become the first to accomplish a three-peat thrice. The Letran Knights made a pair of three-peats last 1931-44 and the 1982-1984 seasons. The Red Lions have also two three-peats last 1934-37 seasons and the 2006-2008 season.
Other teams who made a grand slam or three-peats were the San Sebastian Stags on 1993-1997 and the Ateneo Eagles during their membership as NCAA team on 1934-1937.
Game Two is set Saturday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum while the decider, if necessary, will be played Oct. 25 also at the Big Dome.
