Four matches mark UCAA cage opener

MANILA, Philippines - Four basketball games kick off hostilities in the 12th Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (UCAA) today with Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III gracing the event at the Blue Eagle gym in Ateneo, QC.

Host Philippine School of Business Administration takes on comebacking National College of Business and Arts at 10 a.m. while De La Salle University-Dasmariñas clashes with the Manuel L. Quezon University at 11: 30 a.m.

Pimentel will be the guest of honor during the opening rites at 9 a.m.

Defending champion Olivarez Colleges heads the nine-team cast in the tournament sponsored by Mikasa and Molten Balls. But the Sea Lions will be without six veterans who have graduated when they open their bid against the Rizal Technological University Blue Thunder at 1 p.m.

The PNTC meets the Trinity University of Asia Stallions at 2:30 p.m.

The league will also honor mainstays of the Gilas Pilipinas national team members, who used to play in the UCAA, including Ranidel de Ocampo, Gary David and Mark Pingris.