Games today:

(Mall of Asia Arena)

3 p.m. — San Beda vs Saint Benilde

5 p.m. — Letran vs Perpetual

San Beda University begins its National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) title defense against College of Saint Benilde on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Tipoff is set for 3 p.m., with the Red Lions facing the Blazers in a rematch of last season’s Final Four showdown following simple opening rites at 1 p.m.

As hosts of NCAA Season 102, the Red Lions carry the added pressure of defending their crown while dealing with the departure of veterans Yukien Andrada and Bryan Sajonia and the season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered by Nygel Gonzales.

Head coach Yuri Escueta knows the defending champions will have to be ready for every challenge as the other nine teams look to knock them off their throne.

“As hosts, you want to put your best foot forward and I told my players that we have been in this situation before. You have to expect the best from the other teams every time we play them,” Escueta said.

“It’s hard to go back-to-back in the NCAA, especially in the past three years. You lose key players for different reasons. That’s the challenge for us as defending champions.”

The Red Lions spent part of their preseason in Spain last June, holding a training camp under Spanish mentor Luis Guil, the head coach of the Jordan men’s national team.

Escueta, a two-time NCAA champion coach, said the overseas stint gave the team valuable preparation heading into the season.

“We’re thankful for our camp in Spain. As a coach, I am satisfied. We had good showings in tournaments heading into the season,” Escueta said.

Kai Efron, Maco Dabao and Fil-Am guard Dom Sarigumba are among San Beda’s new faces, while Aldous Torculas, Jomel Puno, Bismark Lina, Penny Estacio and RC Calimag provide veteran leadership.

Benilde, meanwhile, will open the season without two-time Most Valuable Player Allen Liwag, who is sidelined by an undisclosed injury.

New Blazers head coach Paolo Layug, who took over from Charles Tiu, said the team will remain prepared regardless of when Liwag returns as it seeks to end a 26-year title drought.

“We just want him to be at his best. So, for him, maybe he’ll be ready on opening day, maybe not. But whatever the case is, the whole team will be ready,” Layug said.

“Whoever you put there, we expect them to perform at a high level and play Benilde basketball.”

Justin Sanchez, Joshua Cajucom, SJ Moore and Raffy Celis are expected to provide veteran leadership for the Blazers, while Palarong Pambansa champions Dairick Duterte and Ricchmond San Diego are set to make their NCAA debuts.

University of Perpetual Help and last season’s runners-up Letran College will close out the opening-day doubleheader at 5 p.m.

The Knights, led by Mythical Five member Jonathan Manalili, are looking to begin their redemption campaign on a strong note against the Altas.