MANILA, Philippines -- Defending champion San Beda University will have to defeat a full-strength Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) if they hope to clinch the NCAA Season 94 crown in Game 2 of the Finals on Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Last year's Most Valuable Player, CJ Perez, returns from a controversial one-game suspension in the must-win game, and is expected to go all out as the Pirates try to force a decider against the Red Lions.

With Perez banned, the Red Lions took Game 1, 73-60, to move on the cusp of their third consecutive men's basketball title and 11th in the past 13 seasons.

Yet even after taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-3 finals series, San Beda coach Boyet Fernandez was concerned, especially as the Red Lions let a 27-point lead dwindle to as low as 10 points with still time left in the fourth quarter.

"Even without CJ, we only beat them by 13 points," he pointed out after the series opener.

"Surely, LPU will come back with CJ there," he also said. "So we just have to be ready."

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The Pirates were led by Mike Nzeusseu (16 points, 14 rebounds) and twins Jaycee and Jayvee Marcelino (13 points each) in Game 1, but they are all too eager to welcome back Perez, who normed over 18 points per game in the elimination round.

"We have a week to recover and lick our wounds and try to see what adjustments we have to make," said Lyceum coach Topex Robinson after their Game 1 loss last November 6. "Again, we just have to bring it on Monday, and see what's in store for us."

"We're excited to have CJ Perez back in our line-up," he added.

Another good news for Lyceum is that Robinson escaped punishment from the league following his scathing comments against the NCAA for their decision on Perez. Both Robinson and De La Salle-College of St. Benilde assistant coach Charles Tiu had been at risk of sanctions for criticizing the league regarding Perez's suspension.

But Frank Gusi, the chairman of the NCAA Management Committee, announced last week that they are giving the two coaches "enough time to finish the remaining finals games." However, the proceedings against both coaches will continue afterward.

Game time at the Mall of Asia Arena is at 4 p.m.

Meanwhile, at 2 p.m., La Salle Greenhills will try to wrap up the best-of-3 juniors finals series against Mapua University.

The Junior Blazers won Game 1, 74-69, to close in on a second consecutive title.

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