Three-peat seeking San Beda College and title-hungry Jose Rizal University start their best-of-three championship series today in the 84th NCAA seniors basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum. Game 1 of the Red Lions-Heavy Bombers duel is set at 4 p.m. right after the junior's finals series opener between the three-time champion San Sebastian Staglets and the Letran Squires at 2 p.m.

San Beda is aiming to extend their dominance in the NCAA to three years, the longest for the Mendiola-based school since scoring a 'three-peat' in the pre-war era from 1934 to 36. On the other hand, Jose Rizal, which is in its first finals appearance in seven years, last won the championship in 1972 led by Philip Cezar. "The hunger factor is there and I hope we could sustain our good performance," said Ariel Vanguardia, who is in his third season with the Heavy Bombers.

Jose Rizal earned the first finals seat following a come-from-behind 63-61 win against Letran last Friday. SBC, on the other hand, cameback from a 51-53 defeat in their first 'Final Four' match with Mapua, as it scored a 60-53 win the other day to make it to the championship round for the third straight time. "I want to win the championship, plain and simple. It takes two games to win the series and the boys must do lot of sacrifices, stay focused and stay in shape," said second year coach Frankie Lim. The Red Lions and the Heavy Bombers split their elimination round meetings.

Jose Rizal won in the first round, 79-74, before San Beda exacted revenge with a 71-59 victory in the second round. The Red Lions frontline of Sam Ekwe, Jake Pascual and Dave Marcelo will have their hands full against the Heavy Bombers big men JR Sena, Jayson Nocom and Marvin Hayes. On offense, San Beda stalwarts Ogie Menor, Borgie Hermida and Pong Escobal will have to deliver the goods, while Marc Cagoco, John Wilson and Maui Pradas must get their game going for JRU.