MANILA, Philippines – After falling short of an eighth consecutive title following a loss in the Finals to Mapua University in Season 92, the San Beda Red Cubs are determined to again prove itself as the country's top high school team and reclaim the NCAA crown this year.

However, the Red Cubs will have to do it with four key players still hurt – Germy Mahinay, Ry dela Rosa, Robi Nayve, and Eduardo Velasquez, Jr.

"Our preparation has been hampered by these injuries," admitted San Beda juniors coach JB Sison on Tuesday at the PSA Forum in the Golden Phoenix Hotel in Pasay City.

Minus those four players, the Cubs will rely heavily on the core of Samuel Abu Hijle, Evan Nelle, Joshua Tagala, Prince Etrata and Pedro Alfaro III when they compete in the NCAA Season 93 juniors tournament starting on July 9.

San Beda currently has the most number of juniors championships with 23, including a "seven-peat" from 2009 and 2015.

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Mapua has 19 crowns, the latest of which was the Season 92 title where they stunned San Beda in three games.

For Sison, Mapua remains the favorite.

"Of course, Mapua is the team to beat, with an almost intact line-up," he said. "La Salle Greenhills, San Sebastian, and Letran have also improved."

Juniors action starts on Sunday, with San Beda battling San Sebastian College at 1 p.m., and Mapua clashing with Arellano University at 3 p.m.

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