00:00 All eight universities are ready to plunge back into action in this year's UAAP men's basketball.
00:05 And just like every season, a brand new challenge awaits the coaches and players.
00:10 All eyes are on the Ateneo Blue Eagles as they seek to defend their title.
00:14 But four-time UAAP champion head coach Tom Baldwin admits it won't be easy for the team, especially with a younger lineup.
00:21 Just a lot of players that have never ever played a UAAP game.
00:25 So after four or five games, we should start to see what they're really made of and how they can adapt.
00:32 We don't defend titles. This team stands on its own two feet.
00:37 It's never won anything, not a single game.
00:40 And so we can't speak in terms of championships at this point.
00:45 Coaches agree that all teams will be much more competitive this year.
00:48 But when it comes to tough contenders, the UP Fighting Maroons and DLSU Green Archers were placed up there.
00:54 UP had an impressive offseason securing blue chip recruits, including high-flying guard Francis Lopez, whose eligibility was recently cleared.
01:02 And a slam by Lopez!
01:05 LaSalle also impressed in preseason tournaments while parading an intact core of players.
01:11 The good thing about our rookies is that they don't have the arrogance that they need blue chips right away.
01:19 So they accept the role that was given to them.
01:22 We had this full year to prepare. So definitely this year, everything will be more competitive.
01:28 The players know the responsibility to represent DLSU and they always hear it from everybody.
01:34 So it's a norm and that's why we always try to be at our best.
01:38 With the opening of the all-new UAAP Season 86 with a theme fueling the future, league officials also implemented a few changes,
01:45 including the exclusivity of referees in officiating the UAAP.
01:49 Actually, the teams have a rule that there are no back-to-back games.
01:52 So why do the referees have to be subjected to back-to-back games?
01:56 Which takes a toll not only on their mental state and physical state, but eventually, officiating will suffer.
02:03 On non-game days, instead of coming here, they're here to observe. It will really just help the officiating in general.
02:09 The UAAP men's basketball competition will tip off this Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena,
02:14 featuring the UE Red Warriors versus the USC Growling Tigers at 2 p.m., followed by Ateneo versus National University at 4 p.m.
02:22 Pauline Verzosa, CNN Philippines.
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