Grand Palabas Ushers In UAAP

The loud cheers from students and alumni, the incessant beating of the drums and the lively action of the UAAP returns as the league's 73rd basketball tournament unfolds this Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Following the traditional “palabas” which host La Salle painstakingly prepared, four teams, including the Green Achers and last year's runner up University of the East, plunge into action in an opening doubleheader to usher in the new season.

The Green Archers, aiming to get back on winning track after a disastrous 2009 campaign, take on University of the Philippines in the first game at 2 p.m. while the Warriors play against the unpredictable University of Santo Tomas Tigers at 4 p.m.

After a disappointing 5-9 record last season during which they failed to make it to the Final Four, La Salle has retooled its roster and coaching staff during the offseason.

Dindo Pumaren, a former La Salle star who mentored the Warriors for five years before stepping down last year, will now call the shots for Archers.

He took the place of his older brother Franz.

New players include former La Salle Zobel standouts Nico Elorde, Luis de la Paz and Aiki Herrera while others include former NCAA juniors Mythical Five member Jarelan Tampus of Letran and Almond Vosotros of San Sebastian.

Those elevated from their "Team B" are ex-La Salle Greenhills Martin Reyes and Papot Paredes while the holdovers are Joshua Webb, Simon Atkins, Maui Villanueva and Ferdinand from Indonesia.

La Salle may be small compared with other teams, but Pumaren believes his team can offset that with speed and defense.

"We will rely on our quickness and defense even if we are undersized but I see something good with this team," said Pumaren.

UP, which shelved its plan to replace its moniker (Fighting Maroons), will also have several rookies in its fold, among them Mike Silungan and Joshua Saret.

Holdovers for coach Aboy Castro include Woody Co, Martin Reyes, Magi Sison and Mark Lopez.

Meanwhile, the Warriors, who lost to Ateneo in the finals, enter this year minus key players Elmer Espiritu, Pari Llagas, Rudy Lingganay, and Val Acuña but still have dynamic scorer Paul Lee and James Martinez around.

Rookies that coach Lawrence Chongson believes will make an impact to his team are Sam Razon, Adrian Santos, and Lordy Casajeros.

UST did not play in any collegiate preseason tournament as coach Pido Jarencio opted to perfect their chemistry since most of his players are rookies.

Sophomore Jeric Teng is expected to carry the load for the Tigers along with Jeric Fortuna, Clark Bautista, Chris Camus, and Melo Afuang.

Eduardo Daquioag, Kenneth Mamaril, Paolo Pe, and Vince Tinte are UST’s neophytes but Jarencio is confident they are up to the challenge.

Jonas Terrado, Manila Bulletin