AARANGKADA na sa Sabado, Setyembre 8, ang pinakaaabangang UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament, tampok ang dalawang pares ng laro sa Mall of Asia Arena sa Pasay City.
Unang magsasagupa sa alas-2 ng hapon ang UE Red Warriors at UP Fighting Maroons matapos ang makulay at magarbong opening ceremony na susundan ng salpukan ng host NU Bulldogs at UST Growling Tigers sa alas-4 ng hapon.
Inaasahang magiging kapana-panabik ang double-header dahil ang apat na koponang maglalaro ay halos patas sa lahat ng departamento.
“It’s going to be an exciting and interesting double-header opening salvo,” sabi ni Commissioner at dating NU athletic director Junel Baculi sa press conference kahapon.
Walong koponan, sa pangunguna ng defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles, ang magbabakbakan para sa pinakaaasam na titulo.
Ang Blue Eagles ay nananatiling ‘team to beat’ ngayong taon subalit ayaw magkumpiyansa ng head coach nito na Tab Baldwin.
“I don’t really think [we are the team to beat] in terms of defending the championship,” aniya.
“We played a lot of games in the summer, every team has, but the UAAP is a different animal,” dagdag pa niya.
Si Far Eastern University mentor Olcen Racela ay isa sa dalawang coach na nagsabing mahirap talunin ang Ateneo.
“Everyone has a fair chance, but the best chance, siyempre, is Ateneo,” ani Racela. “I think I’ll be surprised if they lost a game in the eliminations.”
Ganito rin ang paniniwala ni University of the East head coach Joe Silva na nagsabing, “[It’s going to be] Ateneo, and then everybody else.”
Umaasa naman si La Salle head coach Louie Gonzales na makakapasok sila sa ‘Final 4’. CLYDE MARIANO
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