UAAP Season 72 Opens July 11, 2009: FEU Hosts.

[Related Post: UAAP Season 72: Opening in High Definition]

The UAAP Season 72 (2009-2010) opens at the Araneta Coliseum on July 11, 2009, to be hosted by the Far Eastern University and broadcast live over Studio 23, ABS-CBN’s UHF Channel. (Source).

As this season’s host and with the theme “One Color. One Goal,” FEU introduces an enchanted mythical creature to join this year’s UAAP season. But unlike the rest of the university icons, the legendary Sarimanok is not here to enter into battle. This beautiful bird sets out from its celestial habitat to inspire the UAAP member universities to come together. The Sarimanok, which is featured in FEU’s coat of arms, has multi-colored wings representing the different universities in the UAAP.

Sarimanok

[Postscript: 9.14.09] Watch the 2009 UAAP Cheerdance Competition Champion the FEU Pep Squad:

Games Schedule for this Season:

• If DLSU plays at the Universiade in (Serbia)
  
• If DLSU does not play at the Universiade (Postcript: This is the FINAL Schedule as of date of opening)
• Related topic on tentative schedules

Below are some of Mr. Tony Atayde’s quoted observation of the upcoming season of the UAAP:

Eligibility: This early, there are already rumors of eligibility problems for some players. x x x A rookie who was at the center of the controversy that led to the suspension and eventual departure of PCU from the NCAA. It was found that this player had forged identification papers which showed he was not who he said he was. He is now in the UAAP.

The Return of the Smart Gilas Players: There will be a number of players from the Smart Gilas Philippine Team who will return to the UAAP. FEU is the biggest beneficiary of this return with Barroca, Cawaling and Ramos getting tremendous international exposure. Ateneo will also benefit with the return of Al Hussaini and Buenafe. x x x

Players Who Are Gone: x x x La Salle will no longer have Casio and Maierhofer. Ateneo’s Chris Tiu will no longer don the blue and white. Marcy Arellano of UE will no longer play. FEU’s Baracael, whose shooting incident last year sparked the Tamaraws, is also gone. UST will definitely miss the presence of Jervy Cruz.

Rookies: X x x La Salle seems to have gotten the edge in local talents after bagging Arvie Bringas. Coach Pumaren is still uncertain who among his other rookies will make the cut. Several RP Youth standouts are also in the DLSU squad.

FEU is also parading a prize catch in Cameroonian Pipo Nandou. He will be an impressive addition to an all already impressive team. (More).