4 coaches make UAAP debut on opening day

Four teams with new coaches will kick off hostilities in UAAP Season 79 men’s basketball tourney on Sept. 4 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

According to schedule released yesterday, University of the Philippines, which is now handled by Bo Perasol, will face the Franz Pumaren-mentored Adamson in the 2 p.m. opener.

Season 78 runner-up and 79 host Santo Tomas, with Boy Sablan now calling the shots, will square off with Tab Baldwin and Ateneo in the main game at 4 p.m.

A highly explosive match- up between holder Far Eastern and pre-tournament favorite La Salle will highlight Day Two of action on Sept. 7 at MOA Arena.

The Tams and the Archers, who engaged in a physical tuneup game that was cut short, go at it in the 4 p.m. main fare. National U and University of the East clash at 2 p.m.

Last year’s title protagonists FEU and UST will face off on Oct. 1 at MOA Arena while the duel between Ateneo and La Salle will be held Oct. 2 at MOA. Serving as curtain-raiser will be the first engagement between the Pumaren brothers, Franz of AdU and Derrick of UE.