NCAA in time of A(H1N1)

MANILA, Philippines – With a record 10 teams and four new coaches, the 85th NCAA basketball season unwraps on Saturday with host San Beda eyeing a fourth straight championship and Jose Rizal U seeking to complete an unfinished business as the league remains upbeat despite the threat of A(H1NI).

The Red Lions, who defused the Bombers in sudden death to score a three-peat last year, open their campaign against a new-look Mapua side at 2 p.m., Jose Rizal U and Letran square off at 4 p.m. and Perpetual Help battles San Sebastian in the 6 p.m. main game of an explosive triple-bill at the Araneta Coliseum.

NCAA president Rev. Fr. Mat de Jesus, OSB, of San Beda yesterday officially ushered in the 85th season of the country’s oldest league with a theme: “Winning Drive@85: Instituting Change, instilling pride, inspiring excellence through sports.”

“We’re expecting a bigger, better season since we will be playing with a record 10 teams. We’re really excited about it,” said de Jesus in yesterday’s media launch at the ABS-CBN’s ELJ Building in Quezon City.

De Jesus, who was accompanied by top officials of all 10 participating schools, including Management Committee chair Jose Mari Lacson, also of San Beda, reiterated the season will push through as scheduled despite the Influenza A(H1N1) virus scare.

“We’re abiding with all the guidelines set by the Department of Health and the Commission on Higher Education regarding the virus so we see no problem with that,” said de Jesus.

US Ambassador Kristie Kenney will be the guest speaker in the inaugural rites to be highlighted by what promises to be a production number to remember.

“We hope it will be a sight to remember, a spectacle to see. It will show the best the NCAA could offer,” said de Jesus.

The Lions remain a potent force this year despite losing Nigerian behemoth Sam Ekwe, Pong Escobal and Ogie Menor as they tapped American giant Sudan Daniel to man the slot and intimidate rivals this time.

With the 6-10 Daniel at the helm, San Beda topped the Nike Summer League and reached the semifinals of the Fil-Oil/Flying V MVP Cup recently to underscore its readiness to extend its reign.

“We’re all ready to go to war,” said San Beda skipper Bam Bam Gamalinda speaking in behalf of coach Frankie Lim, whose father passed away recently.

Jose Rizal, which came a win away from unseating San Beda, is tipped to contend for the title again this year with the core of its runner-up squad intact.

On Monday, it will be the three guest teams’ turn to show their wares as Angeles University Foundation takes on St. Benilde at 2 p.m. and Arellano U and Emilio Aguinaldo College collide at 4 p.m. at The Arena in San Juan City.

The league will be run by Aric del Rosario as this year’s commissioner replacing Joe Lipa.

“There are some minor changes but nothing much really changed,” said del Rosario, who steered UST to a UAAP four-peat in the 90s.

Aside from the three guest teams, four new coaches will try to make an immediate impact in the league, including former PBA MVP Ato Agustin of San Sebastian, Boris Aldeguer of Perpetual Help, Chito Victolero of Mapua and Richard del Rosario of St. Benilde. They took over from Jorge Gallent, Bai Cristobal, Leo Isaac and Gie Abanilla, respectively.

Former pro and Far Eastern U hotshot Eric Gascon, Junjie Ablan and Nomar Isla will handle AUF, Arellano and EAC, respectively.

Aside from the slam-dunking Daniel, the league will also parade another foreign player in Joe Etame of Cameroon, who will backstop Jose Rizal U.

The 6’10 Etame, a rebounding and shotblocking ace who joined countryman Ntou Njei at the Bombers’ fold, however, would have to sit it out for the next two weeks after injuring a left knee.

“Joe would only get to see action in the first week of July, we will miss his defense in his absence,” said Vanguardia.