IT’S still defending champion Ateneo.
Coaches of the opposing squads are convinced the Blue Eagles loom as the team to beat in the 86th UAAP basketball tournament set that gets going this Saturday, Sept. 30.
Ateneo tactician Tab Baldwin, however, thinks otherwise.
“Who might be at the top or the bottom of the league is irrelevant,” Baldwin said yesterday during the press conference launching the league’s new season at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. “It’s gonna sort itself out through the season. So, I’ve completely passed on that question (of which the team to beat is).
“The only team I’m worried about is NU. It’s our opening game and we know how tough NU is. We expect that we’re gonna get the brunt on that on Saturday,” he added.
Ateneo tackles National University at 4 p.m., while strategist Pido Jarencio makes his return to the collegiate ranks when host University of Santo Tomas battles University of the East in the tiff kicking off the new cage wars at 2 o’clock at the Pasay-based venue.
The Eagles lost gunner Dave Ildefonso, last season’s MVP Ange Kouame, Forthsky Padrigao, and BJ Andrade.
Ateneo will bank on Kai Ballungay and Sean Quitevis.
UE athletic director and league president Rodrigo Roque is convinced the new season will bring top notch action.
“We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the power of sports to inspire and unite,” Roques said.
“UAAP Season 86 promises to be an exciting journey, where we will witness outstanding displays of skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship from our student-athletes.”
UAAP executive director Atty. Rene “Rebo” Saguisag shared the same sentiments, saying: “UAAP Season 86 is gearing up to be truly extraordinary, with a return to the normal, full calendar of thrilling competitions and a couple of additional demo events that will add even more excitement and diversity to this already amazing season.”
The Eagles wound up with an 11-3 mark after the eliminations last season and beat Adamson University in the Final Four.
