UAAP Season 71 Kicks Off at the Big Dome

The 71st season of the University Athletic Association formally opened today at the Araneta Coliseum.

Another big crowd trooped over at the big dome to watch the elaborate opening ceremony which was hosted by centennial celebrating University of the Philippines.

Season 71 promises to be an exciting year for the men's basketball competition, since any team can win the title and there is not a single powerhouse favorite. As De La Salle coach Franz Pumaren puts it, "The beauty of collegiate basketball is that anything can happen."

UE Red Warriors, University of Santo Thomas Tigers, Ateneo Blue Eagles and Far Eastern University Tamaraws are the top teams picked during the pre-season.

Defending champions De La Salle green archers are expected to have a difficult time keeping their crown as two key players in Tyrone Tang and Cholo Villanueva have already graduated and left the team. However, nobody also expected them to win the tournament last season.

Marcy Arellano, Elmer Espiritu, Hans Thiele, Pari Llagas, James Martinez and Paul Lee are the reliable gunners of the hungry UE squad who is seeking to end a 23-year drought. Even with the absence of Mark Borboran and Kelvin Gregorio, coach Dindo Pumaren is confident that their speed and aggresiveness will overcome the team's loss of their big men.

Returning for the tamaraws are Benedict Fernandez, Mac Baracel and last season's top rookie JR Cawaling. They are one of the regulars in the final four and one of the title contenders this year.

The dangerous UST growling tigers is bannered by last year's MVP Jervy Cruz and is spearheaded by the speedy point guard Japs Cuan. Although its players are hurting with minor injuries, the battle cry of coach Pido Jarencio "Pride Puso and Palaban" is sure to fire up the team.

Ateneo Blue Eagles is up again for another campaign to thwart their bitter Taft-based rival's bid to defend their title. Team captain Chris Tiu heads the blue eagles and hot shot rookie Ryan Buenafe will join the formidable team of Jai Reyes, Yuri Escueta, Kirk Long and Noy Baclao.

Updates on today's game:

In the first game, FEU Tamaraws won over Adamson Falcons 74-71. Sophomore Jens Knuttel, shot a three pointer with 16.1 seconds left which made them the firt team to win in the 71st UAAP Men's Baskteball.

The scores:
FEU 74 -- Cervantes 15, Barroca 12, Cawaling 11, Alisbo 10, Fernandez 9, Ramos 6, Knuttel 5, Baracael 4, Sanga 2, Kave 0, Adolfo 0.
ADAMSON 71 -- Galinato 22, Colina 11, Gonzalgo 11, Nuyles 5, Agustin 5, Cañada 4, Santos 4, Olalia 3, Lozada 2, Margallo 2, Alvarez 2, Yambot 0, Gorospe 0.Quarters: 25-18, 47-41, 55-55, 74-71

In the Second Game, best player of the game Hans Thiele of the UE red warriors contained the injury stricken Jervy Cruz to beat the UST growling tigers 78-73. The warriors were magnificent and dominated the Tigers throughout the four quarters.

The scores:
UE 78 -- Espiritu 15, Thiele 13, Arellano 11, Martinez 10, Noble 6, Lee 6, Llagas 5, Etrone 4, Lingganay 4, Bandaying 3, Zamar 1, Tagarda 0.
UST 73 -- Cruz 26, Ababou 15, Taylor 10, Allera 8, Cuan 7, Canlas 3, Fenequito 2, Mirza 2, Vargas 0, Fortuna 0, Camus 0, Bautista 0.