Last October 1 2025, the NCAA Season 101 opened its festivities at the SMART Araneta Coliseum with a bang, which featured both Lyceum and San Beda winning in basketball.
Year 101 is about BUILDING GREATNESS
All 10 participating universities/colleges were present in the opening parade at the Big Dome last Wednesday, in which the century-old collegiate league was given its flowers in helping the Philippine Sports become known worldwide.
For the opening performances, led by the defending champion in basketball, Mapua University, GMA 7 Kapuso singers Aicelle Santos, Thea Astley, Hannah Precillas, and Naya Ambi serenaded the students.
In Year 101, the Lyceum of the Philippines University is the Host School with the brand new theme of “Building Greatness”.
During the speech of Mapua University president and CEO Dr. Dodjie Maestrecampo gave emphasis to this season’s theme as a call to action.
“Greatness is not measured only in victories or trophies, but in the integrity we uphold, the discipline we live by, and the positive change we bring to our schools and our nation. At a time when questions of accountability echo in our nation, the NCAA stands firm: integrity is non-negotiable,” Maestrecampo said.
Dr. Maestrecampo then mentioned that their student-athletes should become more role models and ambassadors to the schools they represent.
“Whether in triumph or in defeat, when you respect opponents, uplift teammates, and honor your alma mater, you embody the true Filipino spirit-resilient, courageous, and principled.”
“As we step into this new era, let us honor our traditions and face the future with courage, innovation, and unity,” he added.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio then highlighted the role of the NCAA in Philippine Sports in general.
“The PSC and NCAA’s shared history saw the most iconic historical chapters of Philippine collegiate basketball played out in the Rizal Memorial Sports Coliseum as the centerpiece venue for NCAA games. Legendary rivalries played out here before massive crowds,” he said.
He then talked about the importance of adding 4 new Olympic sports as “Demonstration Sports” in this season.
“Let our enduring partnership carry forward the torch of Philippine sports development for another golden era of sports,” he said.
The “People’s Champ” in Attendance
Worldwide Boxing Legend Manny Pacquiao was then honored on the sidelines as he watched the basketball games.
It was a great nod to the fact that 50 years ago, on October 1, 1975, the iconic boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, called “Thrilla in Manila” took place at the same venue as well.
“Thrilla in Manila” vibes in LPU vs Mapua
If Ali versus Frazier’s match went to 14 rounds of non-stop action, then so was the game of LPU and Mapua, which had to go through double overtime.
The Cardinals started flat, with key guard Clint Escamis saddled by early foul trouble that kept him on the bench for much of the first half. Despite their sluggish rhythm, Mapua managed to stay within striking distance before finally finding momentum late. By the fourth quarter, Escamis helped spark the defending champions to a 72-63 advantage.
But Lyceum refused to fold. Veteran guard Renz Villegas caught fire, scoring 10 points during a furious 11-0 surge that wiped out Mapua’s lead and tied the game at 74-all with just 26 seconds left in regulation. Escamis tried to close it out with a mid-range jumper, but the shot missed, sending the game into overtime.
In the first OT, Michael Verzosa and Villegas combined to give Mapua an 80-75 cushion. Just when the Cardinals looked set to finish the job, JC Recto stepped up with a crucial three-point play that leveled the score at 80. They again had a chance to clinch it, but Cyril Gonzales misfired on a potential game-winner, pushing the contest into a 2OT.
That was when Recto truly came alive. After being scoreless in the first half, the veteran forward delivered in the clutch, drilling a three-pointer and a layup to keep Mapua locked at 85-all with LPU. The Pirates briefly pulled ahead, 87-85, on two free throws from Lyon Pallingayan, only for Recto to respond with another and-one play that swung momentum back to the Cardinals.
The game remained tied at 89 when Verzosa knocked down a jumper, but Mapua finally sealed the victory after Cyrus Cuenco calmly sank one of two free throws in the final seconds, securing the narrowest of wins, 90-89.
Recto finished with 16 points, which was all in the second half and overtime periods, and at the same time, tallying 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 steals.
San Beda Red Lions Plays Spoilers Against the Blazers
The Red Lions battled toe-to-toe with the Blazers in the early stages and carried only a slim three-point lead at halftime.
In the third quarter, their shooters finally found rhythm from beyond the arc as Yukien Andrada and rookie Jimmy Reyes drained three triples between them, extending San Beda’s edge to 71-61 heading into the payoff period.
Andrada opened the fourth with another long bomb, pushing the cushion to 76-63, before Sajonia added a floater that widened the gap to 86-69 with just under five minutes left.
Still, Benilde refused to wave the white flag. MVP Allen Liwag spearheaded a late rally, connecting on a rare three-pointer and following it up with five straight points that trimmed the deficit to just six, 91-85, with a little over a minute left on the clock.
San Beda, however, displayed poise down the stretch. Sajonia and Miller calmly knocked down the team’s last four free throws to shut the door on Benilde’s comeback bid and secure the 11-point victory.
Thoughts on Opening Day Matches: Signs of Invulnerability
The championship favorites, CSB Blazers and Cardinals, have shown that they can be defeated.
Their games can be exploited in future matches in hopes of having a new Final Four. Both LPU and San Beda have long been in the Semis Hump and can very much reach new heights this season, along with the other remaining teams.
