Agustin-led Stags open bid vs Knights; Lions, Bombers collide

San Sebastian opens its ambitious back-to-back title aspirations Saturday against an unpredictable Letran squad as the oldest collegiate in the country -- the NCAA -- unveils its 86th season at the Araneta Coliseum. The Stags surprised everyone when they won last year’s championship and dethroned the San Beda Lions, then the three-time defending champions. With a new season in store, all eyes will be on the Stags, who will start their title retention bid against the Knights in the 2 p.m. encounter right after an expected colorful opening ceremony. Top gun Jimbo Aquino won’t be around for the Stags, but coach Ato Agustin still have the core of the squad which played a pivotal role for their title campaign last year.

Agustin, who skipped San Miguel Beer’s PBA game against Alaska in Dumaguete City, will rely on Calvin Abueva, Pamboy Raymundo, Gilbert Bulawan and Ronald Pascual to make up for Aquino's departure. While the Stags remain solid in their quest for a title repeat, the Knights found themselves back on a rebuilding stage. RJ Jazul and Rey Guevarra won’t be around this time as they have already graduated and coach Louie Alas will now pin his hopes on Kevin Alas, Jam Cortes and JP Belencion. Two other title favorites, San Beda and Jose Rizal University, take center stage and collide in the 4 p.m. encounter. San Beda beefed up its lineup with the addition of Fil-Aussie twins Anthony and David Semerad and former RP U-18 standout Kyle Pascual. Holdovers Sudan Daniel, Rome dela Rosa, Garvo Lanete and Borgie Hermida are also expected to provide valuable contributions for the Lions. While redemption will be the battle cry of the Lions, hunger will serve as the driving point for the Heavy Bombers, who have yet to win a championship since 1972. The Mandaluyong-based cagers hope to bring in a new attitude under their new coach Vergel Meneses. Meneses, one of the PBA’s 25 Greatest Players, will bank on Cameroonian duo of Joe Etame and John Njei. But under NCAA rules, Etame and Njei won’t be allowed to play on the court at the same time. Etame is still recovering from an ACL injury last year, but has played impressively in the preseason tourneys. Local players who will most likely deliver the goods for the Heavy Bombers are JR Bulangis, John Lopez and JR Kabigting. - RCJ, GMANews.TV