Defending champion Letran and College of St. Benilde put everything on the line to dispute the coveted NCAA Season 98 men's basketball title Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Rizal.
Momentum is on the Blazers' side after fending off the Knights in Game 2 last Dec. 11 with a 76-71 over at the Araneta Coliseum.
A week later, after getting a much-needed rest and reset, the final tipoff is all set at 3 p.m. as both squads try to etch their own history in the league.
Will Gozum, Season 98 Most Valuable Player, is expected to carry the cudgels for the Blazers as he tries to close out the series on the highest of note by winning the championship for his squad.
CSB is out to end its 20-year title drought, a mission long overdue despite Sunday Salvacion and Jay Sagad winning the 2002 and 2005 MVP honors, respectively.
This time around though, Gozum, who posted a double-double performance of 21 points built on a perfect 3-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc, along with 10 rebounds has a reliable supporting cast in Miggy Corteza, who also posted 21 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists, and Migs Oczon, among others.
The Knights, for their part, suffered a huge blow heading into Game 3 as team captain and veteran Fran Yu was slapped with a one-game suspension following his disqualifying foul at Mark Sangco.
A viral video circulated online as Yu, a former Finals MVP, drew flak when he was seen throwing an elbow at Sangco.
The incident prompted the NCAA to suspend Yu for the next game and while Letran filed for an appeal, the league still handed the sanction.
Under league rules, an ejected player will be automatically slapped with a suspension the next game.
Sans Yu, the Knights would have to rely on their intact core composed of Brent Paraiso, Louie Sangalang, Kurt Reyson, and King Caralipio.
While the Blazers are on a mission to break the curse, the Knights are also one win away from completing their three-peat campaign.