78th UAAP unfolds; host UP faces UE

Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

12 noon – Opening ceremony

2 p.m. – UE vs UP

4 p.m. UST vs AdU

MANILA, Philippines - The UAAP opens in September for the first time today with four teams that failed to reach the Final Four the previous year headlining first-day action, all hoping to change to change the course of history in the centerpiece men’s basketball competitions of Season 78.

University of the East, which came a victory short of catching the last bus to the Season 77 semis, launches its bid against University of the Philippines, the host squad so eager to get on the winning track under new coach Rensy Bajar in the kickoff game at 2 p.m.

University of Santo Tomas, sixth placer last year, battles Adamson, the No. 8 ranked squad in 2014, at 4 p.m.

Before the matches, a colorful opening ceremony is set at 12 noon with the Diliman-based school lining up an opener to remember.

The “all-Filipino” Red Warriors are fielding in nine rookies in the roster, including 17-18 year-old freshmen, leading coach Derrick Pumaren to describe his crew as a “high school” bunch.

“We’re like a high school team but that doesn’t stop us from trying to pull off surprises,” said Pumaren, who will lean on Paul Varilla, Chris Javier, RR de Leon and Renz Palma to take the cudgels following the departure of Roi Sumang, Dan Alberto, Charles Mammie and Mustafa Arafat, and guide the greenhorns led by Philip Manalang and Fran Yu.

Pumaren said the Warriors come in as underdogs against the Fighting Maroons, who will parade a souped up lineup bannered by seasoned Jett Manuel, Dave Moralde, Paul Desiderio, Henry Asilum and JR

Gallarza and prized recruits Pio Longa, Jan Jan Jaboneta, Noah Webb and import Cheick Kone.

“We know they have prepared well, they really recruited heavily so we have to be ready against them,” said Pumaren.

Bajar expressed excitement to match-up with one of his idols in his debut game in the UAAP.

“Even if he says he has a high school team, knowing the discipline he

preaches on his team, we expect them to play against

a disciplined team. We’re ready to play, this is the first step of our

journey in the UAAP Season 78,” said Bajar, whose squad is ‘thinking and believing big” as they eye the Final Four.

The Tigers and the Falcons are similarly thinking about moving out of the doldrums.

“We’re competitive this year and we’re healthy. Also we have longer preparation compared to last time,” said UST mentor Bong dela Cruz. “Our veterans are eager to prove themselves and lead us to a better season,” said UST’s Bong dela Cruz, who tapped PBA legend Alvin Patrimonio to help develop the skills of Karim Abdul and other big men.

Abdul, Kevin Ferrer, Ed Daquioag, Kent Lao, and Louie Vigil are expected to lead rookies like Mario Bonleon and Zachy Huang in their campaign.

Adamson vies with nine rookies under first-year coach Mike Fermin.

“Our goal this year is try to improve and win as many games as possible. We’re coming from the bottom and if the opportunity to get more wins is presented, if there’s a chance to compete for the Final Four, then we’ll grab it,” said Fermin, hoping his young crew will “mature fast.”