All eyes on Warriors as UAAP season begins

The UE Warriors aren’t just this year’s UAAP hosts. They’re also the favorites.

But don’t tell that to Dindo Pumaren, who’s on his third year as Warriors coach. He insists that his team is just as strong as the other contenders like Adamson, FEU and Ateneo.

"They always say that we’re one of the favorites," said the former PBA superstar who steered the Warriors to the Final Four in his first two years at the helm.

"Maybe one reason they’re saying that again is the fact that we won three tournaments during the off-season," he said yesterday, referring to the Micaba, HAIL and Fr. Martin Cup.

"But you cannot use it as a gauge. The UAAP is an entirely different ballgame. Some teams we beat in these recent tournaments did not field a full lineup," Pumaren explained.

Still, he couldn’t hide his satisfaction.

"I’ll be honest. I have a good lineup and it’s quite deep. My top three players last year, Marcy Arellano, Mark Borboran and Bon-bon Custodio, are still around — with added seasoning," Pumaren said.

The 69th UAAP season unfolds today at the Araneta Coliseum, with the traditional fanfare, a colorful parade of the athletes, a few speeches and a doubleheader.

The festivities start at 1 p.m. while the games begin at 2 p.m. with UE facing Adamson and National University going up against Ateneo, in search of a new rival in the absence of La Salle.

Three juniors matches are on tap tomorrow at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium where most, if not all of the elimination-round matches will be held.

Only one seniors match between Santo Tomas and UP will be played tomorrow. Defending champion FEU will make its debut on July 15 when it goes up against UE.

While focus today will be on the Warriors and the Blue Eagles under multi-titled coach Norman Black, the absence of La Salle will remain an issue.

The Green Archers, last year’s losing finalists, will not be around this year because of the one-year suspension slapped on the school by the UAAP board as a result of a recent ineligibility scandal.