As action resumes on November 4 and teams take a break to rest, let’s look back at which group has been more dominant in the NCAA Season 101 Men’s Basketball tournament.
The Group of Death It Is
For the past 22 Group A versus Group B matchups, 14 of these games were won by teams from Group B while the other 8 were won by those that are in Group A.
Group A is consisted of:
- University of Perpetual Help System DALTA Altas
- Mapúa University Cardinals
- Arellano University Chiefs
- San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags
- Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates
While Group B is composed of:
- San Beda University Red Lions
- College of Saint Benilde Blazers
- Colegio de San Juan de Letrán Knights
- Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers
- Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals
Prior to when the season began and the news was released about the new format, many fans labeled Group B as the “Group of Death” due to the star studded teams placed all in one group.
True enough, when teams from Group B play those that are in Group A, it’s always been a dominant fashion with more often than not, a blowout game once the final buzzer goes off.
Consistency is the Key for the ALTAS
Despite having Group B as the more dominant group, the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA ALTAS has remained to amaze their fans as they go 8-1 during the Halloween Break.
This record is in fact, a scary sight to see to their opponents considering they’ve only lost once against the rising Letrán Knights.
Spearheaded by their brand new dynamic duo of Patrick Sleat and Mark Gojo Cruz, they were even able to outlast the triple overtime game against the San Beda Red Dragons last October 29.
Yes, you read that one right, triple OT.
But with them winning their last crossover elimination round, ALTAS fans can expect that this team can yet again thrive once the Group A elimination round resumes.
The Unpredictability of Group B
One loss and you can see yourself in the 3rd spot of the teams standings, that’s how difficult it is when you are grouped with the NCAA titans.
The Red Lions are holding the top seed now with a record of 6-2, but if ever they lose a game? They might end up in the 3rd spot behind the 5-3 CSB Blazers and 5-4 Knights.
Rookie Ajanti Miller has been magnificent for San Beda, he even scored his career high 24 points against the San Sebastian Golden Stags last October 26 and the win.
The Letrán Knights were also unstoppable prior to the Halloween break as well. The Knights had a 5 game winning streak all thanks to Jonathan “Titing” Manalili. He even earned the player of the week award last October 27.
Meanwhile, for the usual NCAA finalists, the CSB Blazers, Allen Liwag has been consistent in the scoring department, while rising star Shawn Umali has carried the other side of the team’s offense on the wing.
Up Next: Last 3 Matches for the Crossover Elims
The NCAA is going “retro classic” as the century-old league returns to the first home of college basketball, the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
Games will begin on November 4 with the rematch of the NCAA Season 100 Finals taking place as it features the defending champions, Mapúa University Cardinals going up against the CSB Blazers.
While Game 2 on that day will have the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates playing the Ajanti Miller led San Beda Lions.
The last crossover elimination match will have the Arellano University Chiefs versus the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers which will still be in the Rizal Memorial Stadium on November 5.
