UNIVERSITY of the East head coach Derrick Pumaren felt disappointed last season.
But with an intact core this year, Pumaren is hopeful that the Warriors will be better when Season 80 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament starts today at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Warriors, who were tied for last place last year with the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, clash with the National University Bulldogs at 2 p.m., before the Ateneo Blue Eagles take on the Adamson Falcons at 4 p.m.
“We have an all-Filipino lineup. May five rookies iyung team. Disappointed ako sa performance last season, but hopefully this team will be competitive this time,” said Pumaren.
Veterans like Alvin Pasaol, a 6’3” forward along with Phillip Manalang and Clark Derige will banner the UE Warriors.
Meanwhile, the UAAP Board of Trustees has officially allowed foreign players Ibrahim Ouattara of the University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas’ Steve Akomo to play for their respective teams starting on Sunday.
The two were earlier declared ineligible because of UAAP’s plans to impose a two-year residency period.
But the board decided to give the two the green light following a meeting of the UAAP board of directors yesterday.
Ouattara, a 6’9” slotman from Mali, will debut for the Maroons when they meet the UST Tigers. On the other hand, Akomo, a 6’9” Cameroonian, will suit up for the Tigers in the same game.
Meanwhile, the Warriors will also have Mark Olayon, Wilson Bartolome, Nico Abanto, Shannon Gagate, Mark Acuno and Jason Varilla.
They have rookies like Chris Conner, a 6’2” guard from Guam, along with Mark Maloles, a 5’10” guard from Laguna. They also have Jose Cullar, a 5’11” guard from Italy, and 6’3” forward Rafael Toribio from Caloocan.
Joining pocket tournaments like the Milcu and TIP Invitational have sharpened the team during the off-season, according to Pumaren.
The Bulldogs will be bannered by new coach Jamike Jarin, who promises that his team will also be very competitive.
“This is a very young team. We promise to give it our best,” said Jarin, who replaced Eric Altamirano almost immediately after the Bulldogs missed the Final Four last season.
The Bulldogs, who ended their campaign with a 5-9 record last year for fifth Place, will be bannered J-Jay Alejandro, Matt Salem and Rev Diputado.
Games Today (MOA Arena)
2 p.m. UE vs NU
4 p.m. Ateneo vs Adamson