PHOTO by NOY MORCOSO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines – The 77th Season of the UAAP rolls off on July 12 with defending champion De La Salle University opening its bid for a back-to-back championship against Far Eastern University.
The Green Archers, who captured their eighth title after outlasting University of Santo Tomas in a championship series considered to be one of the best in recent memory, will get a first crack at the new-look Tamaraws at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in the main game at 4 p.m.
The UAAP 76 finals was filled with drama as it went the distance with UST winning in game one, La Salle in game 2 and 3 with the last game going into overtime after the Archers fought back from a 15-point deficit. It also featured the battle of brothers with Jeric Teng playing his last year for the Growling Tigers and Jeron, his second year, for the Archers. A win by UST would have made it the first No. 4 seeded team to win the championship.
Host University of the East, a team looking to rebound after a disappointing Season 76 campaign where the Red Warriors finished in sixth place, faces University of the Philippines in the curtain raiser at 2p.m.
It will be a different FEU squad this season with its former cornerstones RR Garcia and Terrence Romeo going pro after Season 76.
Young guard Mike Tolomia has shown he is capable of taking the lead role for the Tamaraws displaying impressive numbers so far in the ongoing Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup. Versatile forward Mac Belo is also expected to play a more significant niche for the Tams.
The first meeting between fierce rivals Ateneo and La Salle is set on July 19 also at the Big Dome.
Ateneo, which missed the Final Four last year after winning five straight championships, hits the hardcourt against Adamson on July 13 at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Growling Tigers and the National University Bulldogs, both teams who won’t be having their former stars Jeric Teng and two-time league MVP Ray Parks, respectively, also play their first game on July 13.
Teng now plays for Rain or Shine in the PBA while Parks decided to forgo his final two years with NU.
The rematch of last year’s finals between La Salle and UST, which hopes to get back to the championship round for the third straight time, will be the last game of the first round set on August 10 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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