NU, La Salle clash in Dickies opener

Reigning UAAP champion National University stakes its claim as the best collegiate team when it sees action in the Smart-PCABL (Pilipinas Chinese Amateur Basketball League) Dickies Women’s Cup which unfurls tomorrow at the Philippine Buddhacare gym in Quezon City.

Coming off another perfect season in the country’s prestigious collegiate league, the Lady Bulldogs take on the La Salle Lady Archers in the featured match of the heavy fourgame opening day schedule.

UAAP back-to-back MVP Afril Bernardino, Finals MVP Gemma Miranda and top rookie Jack Anima are once again expected to lead the campaign of the Pat Aquino-mentored Lady Bulldogs who are going for a third straight UAAP champion- ship.

“We will use the tournament as our preparation for our titleretention bid in the UAAP,” said Aquino, who will also call the shots for the Philippine-Blackwater team.

Other participating teams in the event presented by Dickies are Advanced Solution Inc., Powerhouse, CW Home Depot, Dickies Underwear, Hapee Toothpaste and Jumbo Plastic Linoleum are University of the East, Far Eastern University, Rizal Technological University, Centro Escolar University and Adamson.

University of Santo Tomas begged off from defending the title it won over CEU last year due to injuries to key players.

Bankrolled by Blackwater owner Dioceldo Sy, the PH team, bannered by Ewon Arayi, Allana Lim and Ambie Almazan, tests the mettle of UE at 1 p.m. while CEU opens its title bid against RTU at 11 a.m. Adamson and FEU clash in the opening game at 9:30 a.m.