UAAP set for strong opening weekend

Games Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena

2 p.m. – UE vs UST (Men)
4 p.m. – Ateneo vs NU (Men)

Games Sunday
(SM Mall of Asia Arena)

9 a.m. – La Salle vs FEU (Women)
11 a.m. – UP vs Adamson (Women)
2 p.m. – La Salle vs FEU (Men)
4 p.m. – UP vs Adamson (Men)

(UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena)
1 p.m. – UE vs UST (Women)
3 p.m. – Ateneo vs NU (Women)

ATENEO de Manila University sets in motion its bid for a second straight championship against dangerous National University Saturday in the UAAP Season 86 men's basketball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

For coach Tab Baldwin, he does not care about the preseason rankings as he let the Blue Eagles' game do the talking starting with the 4 p.m. clash with the Bulldogs.

"What I think any of the coaches think about who might be at the top or bottom of the league is irrelevant. It’s gonna sort itself out through the season. I completely pass on that question," Baldwin said during last Wednesday's media launch.

Joseph Obasa will be Ateneo's new man in the middle replacing Ange Kouame, while Baldwin will also count on Kai Ballungay, Mason Amos, co-captains Sean Quitevis and Chris Koon to sustain the success.

Coach Jeff Napa wanted his troops to elevate their level of play, as NU hopes to improve its third place finish last year.

"Sa amin rest assured, every school we will be ready makipaglaban sa kanila," said Napa.

The Bulldogs, who split their season head-to-head with the Blue Eagles last year, seek to offset the departure of John Lloyd Clemente with Kean Baclaan, Steve Nash Enriquez and last season's high school MVP Reinhard Jumamoy taking care of the team's offense.

Big man Omar John's improved play during the off-season hopes to translate to success for NU.

Pido Jarencio makes his much awaited collegiate coaching comeback as University of Santo Tomas takes on University of the East at 2 p.m.

The Growling Tigers are upbeat on turning around last year's 1-13 season behind holdovers Nic Cabañero and Adama Faye and freshmen SJ Moore and Mark Llemit.

Without last season's Mythical Five member Luis Villegas, the Red Warriors will have to find ways to dig deep to improve their sixth place finish last season with Rey Remogat leading the way.

The opening ceremony is at 12 noon with this season's theme "Fueling the Future." Gener Caringal, an UE alum who is affiliated with the Philippine Ballet Theatre, Cultural Center of the Philippines and Ballet Philippines, will direct the opening rites.

"UAAP Season 86's opening ceremony will be a testament to the beauty of simplicity, proving that even in the absence of grandeur, our shared passion and unity will make this day truly memorable," said league president Rod Roque.