UAAP women’s caging on

MANILA, Philippines - Last year’s runner-up Ateneo plays University of Santo Tomas, while Adamson University takes on University of the Philippines as hostilities in the UAAP Season 79 women’s basketball tournament begin today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

John Flores, who steered the Lady Eagles to 2005 and 2007 championship, returns as the Katipunan-based team collides with the Tigresses at 10 a.m., right after the Lady Falcons-Lady Maroons clash at 8 a.m.

Flores takes over from Erika Dy, who is now one of the school’s representatives to the UAAP board. Dy steered Ateneo to a second place finish behind National University last season.

Haydee Ong, a former national team coach, will also make her debut for UST, which missed the Final Four last season.

The Lady Falcons will also parade a new coach in Mike Fermin, who replaced long-time mentor Emilia Vega after the San Marcelino-based squad missed the semifinals last season.

The Lady Bulldogs, undefeated in 32 matches since 2014, will make their debut on Wednesday against University of the East at 8 a.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.  On the same day, De La Salle battles Far Eastern University at 10 a.m.