With JV Casio and Rico Maierhofer having graduated already, some new names will try to shine for La Salle in the coming UAAP tournament.

Who will rise to the occasion will be known on Saturday when the Archers face the University of the East Warriors in the opening of the 72nd season of the league at the Araneta Coliseum.

Coach Franz Pumaren will have to rely on a batch of young but promising players, among them Arvie Bringas and Ryan Buenafe – former stars of San Sebastian College high school team that won four straight NCAA titles.

Pumaren, who is entering his 11th season as the team’s tactician, is glad to have the 19-year-old Bringas in the fold.

“He really gives us size and option in the paint. He is more of a power type player who could help us inside,” Pumaren said.

Aside from Bringas, La Salle will parade by Pumaren’s former players with the RP Youth squad in ex-UAAP juniors MVP Joseph Marata, point guard Joel Tolentino, Gabriel Banal, and Jed Manguera along with ex-Staglet Yutien Andrada.

“This is perhaps the best batch of rookies we had since 2003 and hopefully they could live up to their potential in the collegiate ranks,” said Pumaren.

During the 2003 season, the rookies for the Archers were Casio and Jerwin Gaco.

While they will be formidable in the long term, for the meantime, La Salle is hoping that veterans Peejay Barua, James Mangahas, Bader Malabes, and Simon Atkins will pick up the leadership slack left by Casio and Maierhofer.

Barua and Mangahas were the third and fourth leading scorers last season, combining for about 19 points per game while Malabes and Atkins are hoping to bounce back from inconsistent performances a year ago.