THE PG Flex Linoleum-Universities and Colleges Basketball League opens its fourth season on Thursday at the Olivarez College gym in Parañaque.
Comebacking University of Batangas faces Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas at 1 p.m. before Centro Escolar University battles Olivarez College at 3 o’clock.
UCBL president Franklin Evidente and Tournament Director Horacio Lim have invited official of PG Flex, led by its president Nelson Guevarra, and MMDA Traffic Manager Bong Nebrija to grace the opening ceremony at 12 p.m.
Defending champion Diliman College will launch its title-retention bid on Sept. 9 against PCU-D on Sept. 9 also at the Olivarez gym.
Other teams in the event that will have its games aired on delayed basis on Solar Sports are Technological Institute of the Philippines, Lyceum of the Philippines-Batangas and newcomer National College of Business and Arts.
The Scorpions of coach Derrick Pumaren earned the favorites’ tag after making an incredible run in the Aspirants Cup of the PBA Developmental League where they made it to the finals with only eight players before losing to Cignal-Ateneo.
Aside from having a mobile center in 6-foot-7 Maodo Malik Diouf, the Scorpions, who won the inaugural tournament, have a solid support crew in Dave Bernabe, Franz Ray Diaz, Eric Gabrielle Tuadles and Bling Murillo.
The Scorpions are coming off a 50-point demolition of Hazchem in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup on Monday at the Ynares Sports Arena.
The Sea Lions, however, are no pushovers having seasoned players in their fold, including veteran 6-foot-7 Elie Yani of Cameroon.
The Brahmans will be bannered by 6-foot-6 Congolese Arsene Mulunda while the Dolphins can count on Cameroonian Kenne Raoul Yemeli.
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