With completely retooled lineups in anticipation of the new season, all teams are definitely ones to look out for in different in the diamond season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

Kicking off the festivities in the first half of the season is the highly-anticipated basketball wars, which coincides with the opening ceremonies tomorrow afternoon at the brand-new Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Following the high-tech opening ceremonies which was even said to boast of an indoor fireworks display among other things, host school National University kicks off their campaign to cement their claim as one of the league’s men’s basketball elite when they tackle a heavily rebuilding University of the East in the 2:00pm curtain-raiser.

The Bulldogs, who recently nabbed the Filoil-Flying V Pre-season title in a clean sweep, seek to end their long title drought and are seen as heavy title contenders with the formidable core that includes last season’s MVP Bobby Ray Parks and Cameroonian big man Emmanuel Mbe.

Meanwhile, the second half of the Saturday twinbill pits University Belt neighbors University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University in a battle of the league’s two dark horses.

The following day, De La Salle University battles University of the Philippines at 2:00pm, while Adamson University takes on defending champions Ateneo de Manila in the 4:00pm main game.

The Blue Eagles, who will be under head coach Norman Black for the eight and final season, only lost Emman Monfort from last season and will definitely contend this year with a potent mix of Season 74 Finals MVP Nico Salva, Greg Slaughter, Kiefer Ravena, and a returning Ryan Buenafe.

Coinciding with the Sunday men’s basketball affair will be the women’s half of the tournament, which opens up with the NU-UE showdown at 8:30am, followed by the ADMU-UP tiff shortly after.