Games Today (Araneta Coliseum)
1 p.m. — Opening Ceremonies
2 p.m. — UST vs Adamson
4 p.m. — La Salle vs UE

Rookie-laden La Salle battles University of the East with both teams determined to put up a big show in the opening of the 72nd UAAP basketball tournament Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Though La Salle will have six rookies, led by Arvie Bringas and ex-RP Youth members Samuel Marata and Joel Tolentino, the Archers remain a formidable team.

JV Casio and Rico Maierhofer – the team’s 1-2 punch – can no longer play for the Archers having completed their playing years in the league.

But Bringas is a doubtful starter when they clash with the Warriors at 4 p.m. due to fever.

"We don’t know if he can play but we're hoping that he can fully recover in time," said coach Franz Pumaren, who is entering his 11th consecutive season as team mentor.

Pumaren will now be assisted by younger brother – Dindo – who called the shots for the Warriors for four years.

Clashing at 2 p.m. after an elaborate opening ceremonies at 1 p.m. are University of Santo Tomas and Adamson.

Pumaren is hoping that his young players will deliver the goods for the Taft-based squad this season.

"This is the best rookie class I have since 2003. Hopefully, they could live up to their potential," he said.

In contrast, most of UE players are grizzled veterans, having played in the PBL.

Calling the shots for the Warriors is Lawrence Chongson.

Although UE will be playing this season without shooting guard James Martinez, who suffered an ACL injury during a preseason game last month,. Chongson remain confident of their chances.

For one, UE boasts of one the finest players in the amateur rank in Paul Lee.

The six-foot Lee won the Best Player of the conference in the season- opening tournament of the PBL last year. He also emerged as the top rookie of the league.

Other veterans in the line-up are high-leaping Elmer Espiritu, Pari Llagas, and Val Acuna.

The Tigers are also badly hit by the graduation of their top players, notably former MVP winner Jervy Cruz.

Just like La Salle, the UST has eight new faces in the line-up, including Jeric Teng – son of former San Miguel Beer bruiser Alvin. But unlike his father, the younger Teng is a streak shooter which he proved during his celebrated high school days at Xavier School.

The Falcons, who will be mentored by Leo Austria, will be spearheaded by comebacking Leo Canuday.

The Tigers failed to the Final Four last season – two years after winning the 2006 championship over Ateneo. That year also saw the last postseason appearance of Adamson.

Festive opening ceremonies will kick off the new season in a theme dubbed as "One Color, One Goal."

With the expected hard action, tickets, according to UAAP officials, are already sold out. Venue officials, however, said they will release additional tickets today.