All set for their respective bids for this year’s NOPSSCEA title, the University of St. La Salle Stingers and the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos Rams will test each other’s strength at 4 p.m. this afternoon as the 1st LNA7 Collegiate Invitational Basketball Tournament opens at the West Negros University Gym.

In the second game, NOPSSCEA defending champion WNU Mustangs will clash against the resurging Colegio de San Agustin-Bacolod Eagles.

Forming the nucleus of the UNO-R Rams are veterans Francis John Parreño, Coleen Jude Testa, Kim Dimaranan, Ritcher Santillan, Joenel Billones, John Guirnela, Fred Jay Parreño, Mark Anthony Papa, Joery Jarlata, Melogy Erojo and Melvy Derder.

Also joining the team this year is newcomer Cedrick Eslabon, Joemel Paderog and recent Palarong Pambansa campaigner John Lorenz Toral, Stefano Ayuco, Jade Paul Calma Chris John Dayumat and Mark Cyve Segador from Ateneo de Cebu.

Rams’ head coach is Gerome Aledron, with Maui Huelar as assistant.

The Stingers, meanwhile, will have in its lineup Scott Salvacion, Rendell Bernales, Ralph Allen Dionela, Kevin Rey Villafranca, Arturo Cuaresma, Eman Sevilla, Jepe Denosta, Patrick Ybañez, Daryl Endona, Carl Antiporda, Dave Chuatico, Josef Villaroman, Jasper Villacampa and Gian Carlo Reyes. Head coach is Eugene Opu-an with Philip Famucol as assistant.

Organized to provide the four NOPSSCEA college basketball teams competitive tune-up matches before the season starts, the tournament will run until Sunday with ticket proceeds from the games earmarked for the flood victims in Luzon. Ticket prices are pegged at P20 for the lower box and P10 for the upper box.*NAB

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