Different roster. Different era. Same rivalry.

A familiar rivalry is set to take center stage once more as the San Beda Red Lions and Letran Knights collide in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball Finals, their seventh championship showdown in league history.

Letran became the first team to secure a Finals berth after pulling off a hard-earned 74–70 comeback win to sweep the University of Perpetual Help in their Final 4 series last Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Knights overturned a 13-point deficit, showcasing their trademark defense and late-game composure to return to the grand stage for the first time since 2022.

San Beda then completed the long-awaited Finals reunion by surviving the College of Saint Benilde Blazers, 84–81, in a thrilling do-or-die Game 3 on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Red Lions battled through a roller-coaster semifinal series, recovering from an opening-game loss before securing back-to-back wins to advance.

With both powerhouse programs moving on, the NCAA now sets the stage for another classic rivalry duel. The best-of-three Finals series begins on Wednesday, December 10, at 2:00 p.m. at the Big Dome.

Their last Finals meeting came in Season 95 back in 2019, when the Fran Yu-led Knights stunned the Calvin Oftana–Evan Nelle Red Lions in a dramatic three-game finish to claim the title.

Five years later, the stakes remain just as high. San Beda looks to reclaim its once-dominant throne, while Letran aims to revive its winning tradition.

Finals Schedule

December 10 – Smart Araneta Coliseum

• 8:00 a.m. – Mapúa vs. EAC (Juniors – Battle for Third)

• 11:00 a.m. – Arellano vs. Letran (Juniors – Finals Game 1)

• 2:00 p.m. – San Beda vs. Letran (Seniors – Finals Game 1)

December 13 – Smart Araneta Coliseum

• 8:00 a.m. – Perpetual vs. Benilde (Seniors – Battle for Third)

• 11:00 a.m. – Letran vs. Arellano (Juniors – Finals Game 2)

• 2:00 p.m. – Letran vs. San Beda (Seniors – Finals Game 2)

Awarding ceremonies for individual awardees will be held 30 minutes before tipoff of each series.

December 16 – Smart Araneta Coliseum (if necessary)

• 11:00 a.m. – Arellano vs. Letran (Juniors – Finals Game 3)

• 2:00 p.m. – San Beda vs. Letran (Seniors – Finals Game 3)