"Actually, patas lang talaga ang labanan kung sa tao-tao lang ang pag-uusapan pero ang lamang namin at ang pwede naming asahan ay ung PBL experience namin," said Letran coach Louie Alas, who has steered the Intramuros-based squad to a total of three titles, including last year’s dramatic 2-1 victory over the San Sebastian Stags.
The Knights open their bid against the Philippine Christian University Dolphins in the nightcap of the busy inaugurals of the 80th edition of the country’s oldest and most prestigious collegiate tournament before an expected huge crowd at the Big Dome.
A colorful opening ceremony highlighted by the traditional parade of colors ushers in the three-month long tournament at 1 p.m.
Jose Rizal and host University of Perpetual Help-Dalta System clash at 2 p.m. with San Sebastian colliding with archrival San Beda at 4 p.m. Both game, along with the opening rites, will be telecast "live" on Studio 23, a UHL channel of television giant ABS-CBN.
Mapua, which made it to the Final Four last year, faces a new-look St. Benilde at 6 p.m. while Letran takes on PCU at 8 p.m.
Indeed, Ronjay Enrile, Boyet Bautista, Jonathan Aldave, Aaron Aban, Frederick Rodriguez and Jonathan Pinera have learned a lot from their PBL experience. This should augur well for the team which will be up against a strong, balance roster which also underwent tremendous buildup during the off-season.
One of them are the SSC Stags, who have also retained the core of their team last year, including PBL veterans Chris Baluyot, Pep Moore, Leo Najorda, Nicole Uy and Michael Gonzales.
"Wala man kaming team sa PBL, nakakuha din naman ng experience sa PBL ang karamihan sa players ko kaya mahalaga iyon sa kampanya namin ngayong taon," said San Sebastian mentor Arturo Valenzona, whose biggest feat was when he steered the school to a five-peat in the 90s.
The Cardinals and the Altas are the other two teams fancied to contend for this year’s crown.
Mapua, despite losing four key players to academic failures, will have a smaller but quicker and talented line-up headed by the exciting troika of Christian Guevarra, Jofferson Gonzales and the returning Erwin Sta. Maria.
"Medyo maliit kami ngayon but we’ll make it up with our speed and defense," said Mapua mentor Horacio Lim, who is now on his fourth year as varsity coach.
UPH-DS, for its part, have been drawing raves from other coaches because of its dangerously potent roster composed of Robert Barnson, Vladimir Joe, Marcel Cuenco, Dom Javier, Khiel Misa, James Quiazon and Ferdinand Ali-Ali, who is back after missing the whole of last season due to ACL.
"Hopefully, we will not disappoint the school this time especially now that we’re hosts," promised UPH-DS coach Arturo "Bai" Cristobal.
Also spicing up the event are three new coaches˜Loreto Tolentino of PCU, Cris Calilan of Jose Rizal and Nash Racela of San Beda.
Tolentino, long-time coach of University of Manila, has replaced Jimmy Mariano and his Bobby Knight-like coaching style is expected to boost the Dolphins serious title hunt.
Calilan, for his part, was a replacement for Boy De Vera, whose closest brush with the crown are three runner-up finishes in 2002, 2000 and 1998, while Racela has taken up the coaching reins from Jonathan Reyes.
Tonichi Yturri’s St. Benilde Blazers are the tournament underdogs after losing main men Al Magpayo and Ron Capati to graduation.
"We know we’re the underdogs," said Yturri. "Pero libre naman po ang mangarap kaya nananaginip din po kaming makapasok sa Final Four.