MANILA, Philippines – San Beda University's bid for a third consecutive NCAA men's basketball crown gets started on Saturday, with the Red Lions facing off against an all too familiar face at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Red Lions open their campaign against hosts University of Perpetual Help, who are now coached by former San Beda mentor Frankie Lim. 

Game time is at 2 p.m., with the Red Lions bracing for a tough, emotional showdown against the Altas – and Lim.

"He's a great coach, so it will be a tough one for us, emotionally, psychologically, because of the friendship and the history that Coach Frankie has with San Beda," coach Boyet Fernandez said ahead of their match-up.

Fernandez noted that the Altas have made great strides under their new coach's watch, even though Lim only took over the position back in January.

READ: Coaching change to Frankie Lim is much welcome for Perpetual

"Perpetual is doing great. They made a good run at the end of elimination of FilOil, they did a good job in the D-League, nagi-improve lahat, and they have good guys coming in," said Fernandez, making special mention of transferee Edgar Charcos and veteran swingman AJ Coronel.

But, of course, the bulk of the Red Lions' attention will be on the towering Prince Eze, who put together an MVP-caliber season last year but could not tow the Altas to the Final 4.

"Eze, he'll be a force to reckon with," Fernandez admitted. "Medyo may problema kami doon."

"But we'll be ready for Perpetual," he assured.

Fernandez will again bank on his veteran crew headlined by Collegiate Player of the Year Robert Bolick, Season 93 Finals MVP Donald Tankoua, and Mythical Team member Javee Mocon. 

For his part, Lim insists that their upcoming contest against the Red Lions is just another game for him.

"Nothing," the coach flatly answered when asked if the game will have any special significance. "Zero."

"(It's) just another game," he stressed.

What matters most to Lim is that the Altas open the season on a strong note, especially with all the improvements they have made in the offseason.

"Sabi ko nga sa kanila, we just have to be decent and beat our record from last year," said Lim. "I think we'll be all right. The aim is first to be a part of the Final 4, and then let's work from there."

Last season's losing finalist, Lyceum of the Philippines University, will take on San Sebastian College-Recoletos at 4 p.m.

The Pirates memorably completed an 18-game sweep of the elimination round last year, only to falter at the finish line as they were beaten by San Beda in two games in the finals. 

"Ang sa amin is, we don't want to be a one and done team," said Lyceum coach Topex Robinson, who hopes to get another MVP-season from CJ Perez.

"There's still so much room to grow for us," he added. "We want to make sure that it's continuing what we've started, making sure that again, the importance now of being a role model to basketball in general, not just in the NCAA."

Meanwhile, the Golden Stags will feature several new faces following the departure of key players from last season's team. Still leading the way for them is versatile big man Michael Calisaan, along with sweet-shooting guard RK Ilagan. 

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