Can Lions, Knights end series?

Games today:

(Mall of Asia Arena)

12 p.m. — San Beda vs Saint Benilde

2:30 p.m. — Letran vs Perpetual

San Beda and Letran College have the same agenda when the Season 101 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament semifinal series gets going Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

But their respective foes are expected to go all-out in a bid to drag the series into a do-or-die match Sunday as San Beda battles Saint Benilde at noon and Letran faces Perpetual at 2:30 p.m.

The Red Lions crushed the Blazers, 91-72, last Tuesdsay behind super rookie Janti Miller and Bryan Sajonia, who fired 29 and 26 points, respectively, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

But head coach Yuri Escueta knows wrapping up the series will be easier said than done as he expects the Blazers not to hand the series to them on a silver platter.

Since becoming the head coach for San Beda in 2022, Escueta hasn’t defeated Saint Benilde, led by head coach Charles Tiu, in the semifinals.

“It gives the players confidence but also, in the back of our minds, we also know that Saint Benilde beat us twice in Season 98 and Season 100 in the Final Four,” Escueta said.

“After winning the first game, we have a twice-to-beat advantage. But again, to be able to beat this team twice in the playoffs won’t be easy. Knowing Coach Charles and knowing how he coaches his players, he’s going to get the best out of them.”

For Tiu, they need to get their act together, especially on defense, if they want another shot at the title.

“All game long we didn’t follow our game plan, we talked about certain things we wanted to do but didn’t execute it at all,” Tiu said.

“Miller and Sajonia were great. We need to find a way to stop them and follow our rules for them.”

Reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Allen Liwag is expected to step up for the Blazers after being limited to just seven points.

At 2:30 p.m., Letran will also be aiming to end its semifinals series against University of Perpetual Help System Dalta.

Head coach Allen Ricardo only had a simple message to his Knights after their 77-73 escape last Friday in Game 1.

“Don’t relax, study the film and stay hungry,” Ricardo said.

“As a coach, you need to have a good relationship with them so that they’ll listen to you. You can’t just go to practice and do this and that.”

Jimboy Estrada and rookie Jonathan Manalili will be the main men to watch out for Letran after scoring 15 points each in Game 1.