INQUIRER Sports

GAMES SATURDAY (Araneta Coliseum)
1 p.m.—Opening ceremonies
2 p.m.—UST vs Adamson
4 p.m.—La Salle vs UE

A NEW BATCH OF IMPROVED TALENTS AND FRESH FACES TAKES OVER AS the 72nd UAAP men’s basketball competition unfolds today at the Araneta Coliseum.

With Ateneo kicking off its back-to-back championship bid tomorrow, the spotlight falls on fierce rival and last year’s runner-up La Salle when it takes on tournament darkhorse University of the East at 4 p.m.

“It’s a different team compared to the past seasons,” said coach Franz Pumaren of his Green Archers, six of whom are greenhorns out to help fill the void left by the departure of JV Casio and Rico Maierhofer.

“Every year, you just have to adapt and work with the materials given to you,” said Pumaren, who’s on his 12th season with the Archers.

“Hopefully we’ll be competitive each game. How will the rookies fare? I can only answer that after the UAAP season. So they have to prove themselves.”

University of Santo Tomas, the 2006 champion which missed out on a Final Four slot last year, tackles Adamson University at 2 p.m.

A glitzy opening ceremony presented by host Far Eastern University at 1 p.m. fires off the action in the country’s most popular varsity league.

The Archers hope to stay afloat with senior swingmen James Mangahas and Peejay Barua and six blue-chip rookies led by Arvie Bringas.

While the Archers are banking on youth and energy, the Warriors boast an experienced cast bannered by Paul Lee, Pari Llagas and Elmer Espiritu.

“We’re more poised and matured,” said new UE coach Lawrence Chongson. “Our core players had a good stint in the PBL. We hope they’ll carry that confidence to the UAAP.”

Adding color to the matchup will be Dindo Pumaren, who will serve as assistant to his older brother Franz after steering the Warriors to five straight semifinal stints and a runner-up finish in 2007.

The Tigers, meanwhile, begin the new season minus stalwart Jervy Cruz. But the versatile Dylan Ababou hopes to become the spiritual leader of a team heavy with eight freshmen.

“We’ll be ready,” said UST coach Pido Jarencio. “I just hope [the younger players] will overcome first-game jitters.

“If we find a good flow in our offense and our defense doesn’t break down, we’ll be decent against Adamson.”

The Falcons, also tabbed among this year’s darkhorses, are also banking on the return of Leo Canuday and the improved game of Michael Galinato, Jerick Cañada and Jan Colina.

“We know Pido; ever since he started coaching he’s full of surprises,” said Adamson mentor Leo Austria. “But we’ll try our best to get the team ready for any situation.”

The Eagles, still formidable despite the graduation of the do-it-all Chris Tiu, get going at 4 p.m. SUnday against the FEU Tamaraws, the tournament favorites backstopped by three members of the national development pool.

National University and University of the Philippines collide earlier at 2 p.m.