Arellano University has emerged the team to beat in the 92nd NCAA senior basketball tournament after coming through with strong pre-season results months leading to Saturday’s opener at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.
All coaches and representatives of the 10 participating schools agree the Chiefs have set the bar following an impressive showing in the Filoil Flying V Premier Cup where they finished second to eventual winner La Salle early in the month and the Fr. Martin Cup where they topped two straight conferences.
“Jio Jalalon is college basketball’s best point guard today,” said San Beda coach Jamike Jarin.
Ushering the start of the season would be the Letran-San Beda matchup at 2 p.m. on Saturday, which is a rematch of their finals encounter last year where Letran clinched the crown.
Mapua, which boasts of reigning MVP Allwell Oraeme, and Jose Rizal University collide at 4 p.m.
Arellano, for its part, will get to see action the next day against a loaded University of Perpetual Help at The Arena in San Juan.