MANILA, Philippines - Arellano University, Emilio Aguinaldo College and Angeles U Foundation make their debut as guest teams as action in the 85th NCAA men’s basketball tournament shifts to The Arena in San Juan City today.
The Chiefs, winners of the Fr. Martin Cup and the NCRAA, and the Generals, former champions in the NCRAA and UCAA, square off in the main game at 4 p.m. while the Great Danes face the College of St. Benilde Blazers in the 2 p.m. opener.
Winners will join opening day victors three-peat champion San Beda, last year’s losing finalist Jose Rizal and San Sebastian at the helm.
The Lions opened their bid for a fourth straight championship by thumping the Mapua Cardinals, 85-52, while the Bombers and the Stags pulled off contrasting wins over the Letran Knights, 69-66, and the Perpetual Help Altas, 76-64, respectively.
Under new coach Richard del Rosario, the Blazers hope to come up with a better performance after posting a 4-10 (win-loss) record last season.
The guest teams also want to make an impression in the oldest varsity league.
Meanwhile, the San Beda Red Cubs got off to a rousing start as they blasted the Mapua Red Robins, 122-42, as action in junior division got under way yesterday at the San Juan gym.
In the other game, the Letran Squires drew strength from Jarelyn Tampus’ 32 points and Glenn Khobuntin’s 28 points and 25 boards as they defused the Jose Rizal Light Bombers, 95-77.