With the objective of having the best people officiate its games, the UAAP will try various combinations of PBL and PBA referees in the tournament which opens on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

It could be the PBL or the PBA officials alone or a combination of both, said UAAP commissioner Joe Lipa during a press conference yesterday at the ABS-CBN offices.

"It could be a group of officials from either the PBA or PBL in one game or referees from both leagues being assigned in one game," said Lipa.

Lipa, who is serving his fourth stint as UAAP commissioner, said the league is now in the process of selecting the referees who will call the shots in consultation with the top officials of the PBL and the PBA whose whistle-blowers are considered among the best in the country.

With the new set of referees, Lipa hopes to minimize complaints that have dogged many games in the past because of inconsistent calls.

"We had made several coaching clinic headed by (PBA technical head) Romy Guevarra," said Lipa. "So far, in several tune-up games that we officiated, the feedback was positive."

It will be the first time that the league will have two sets of referees with the PBL officials making their second consecutive stint in the collegiate ranks while the pro league will handle the games for the first time.

The UAAP will use FIBA rules along with house rules implemented by the league.

Another group of referees under the BRASCU, will officiate the games in the juniors and womens' divisions.

Saturday's opening action will pit Adamson and University of Santo Tomas in the first game at 2 p.m. followed by the game between La Salle and University of the East.

A two-hour extravaganza will highlight the opening orchestrated by host Far Eastern University.