NCAA season unfolds Saturday

Collegiate basketball takes center stage as Season 80 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball tournament unfolds on Saturday with an elaborate opening ceremony at the Araneta Coliseum.

With "Mighty at 80" as it’s main theme this year, the oldest and most prestigious collegiate league opens with a heavy four-game bill which would feature the title retention bid of defending champion Letran, still the team to beat with an almost intact lineup.

The opening rites will be highlighted by the traditional parade of participating teams headed by this year’s host University of Perpetual Help Dalta System.

"We promise that the league will continue to grow and prosper and we expect an exciting tournament this season," said UPHDS chancellor Dr. Ramon Cercado, who spoke in behalf of NCAA and UPHDS president Dr. Daisy Tamayo in yesterday’s formal launching in Quezon City.

Also present were top officials of the participating schools that included Delfin Asistio of Jose Rizal, Frank Gusi of San Sebastian, Fernando Lozano of Mapua, Alfredo Olano of PCU and Rev. Fr. Paul de Vera, OP of San Beda among others.

Michael del Mundo, UPHDS athletic director, chairs the league’s Management Committee (mancom) with Ricky Palou as commissioner. Peter Musngi represented league coveror Studio 23, a UHL channel of television giant ABS-CBN.

All eyes are on the powerhouse Knights, which open its bid against Philippine Christian University squad, now coached by University of Manila’s Loreto Tolentino, at 8 p.m.

Clashing early are Jose Rizal and host UPHDS, after the 1 p.m. opening rites, followed by the much awaited duel between Mendiola neighbors San Sebastian and San Beda at 4 p.m.

Both games will be aired live on Studio 23.

Completing the opening day hostilities is the match pitting Mapua and College of St. Benilde at 6 p.m.

Boasting of an experienced and talented crew that won it all last season, the Knights, who also placed a respectable third behind eventual titlist Viva-FEU and Welcoat Paints in the just concluded PBL Unity Cup, is the team to beat.

"We know opposing teams regard us as the team to beat this year," said Letran coach Louie Alas. "Patas lang kung sa tao ang pag-uusapan, lamang lang kami because we’re mentally tougher because of our PBL experience."

Expected to give the Knights, who will be bannered by the prolific troika of Ronjay Enrile, Boyet Bautista and Jonathan Aldave, a run for their money are last year’s runner-up San Sebastian, Mapua, San Beda, Perpetual Help and PCU.

The Stags, for one, have retained its solid core of Leo Najorda, Chris Baluyot, Nicole Uy, Clarke Moore, Michael Gonzales and Redentor Vicente while the Horacio Lim-mentored Cardinals are expected to lean on Christian Guevarra, Jofferson Gonzales and Erwin Sta. Maria.

The Altas are beefed up by Khiel Misa, Vladimir Joe, Robert Barnson, Marcel Cuenco, Dom Javier, James Quiazon and comebacking Ferdinand Ali-Ali with Bai Cristobal as coach.

Nash Racela, one of Chot Reyes’ assistants at the Coca-Cola Tigers, will mentor the Red Lions led by Arjun Cordero, Jeff Bombeo, Ronnie Bughao, James Hudencial and Jerome Paterno.

Tonichi Yturri will coach St. Benilde Blazers while Cris Calilan mentors Jose Rizal Bombers.