The Blue Eagles’ highly touted rookie trio tries to combine with the veterans led by Kirk Long and Nico Salva in a 2 p.m. encounter against the practically intact Red Lions.

La Salle and University of Santo Tomas also unveil several promising recruits at 4 p.m. at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

In juniors action, the Blue Eaglets get their campaign going against rival De La Salle Zobel in the lone high school match at 6 p.m.

San Beda only lost point guard Borgie Hermida to graduation and quickly got NCAA juniors star Baser Amer on board.

“I think in the long run, he can ably fill the gap left by Hermida,” Lions coach Frankie Lim said of Amer, the former Cubs guard who emerged last year’s MVP.

The Lions, who recorded an 18-game sweep to capture the 2010 NCAA crown, return with a solid lineup powered by Garvo Lanete, Rome dela Rosa, Jake Pascual, Dave Marcelo and American MVP Sudan Daniel.

But for the three-time UAAP champion Eagles, the debuting rookies led by national youth team star Kiefer Ravena, Smart Gilas’ 6-foot-11 center Greg Slaughter and Cebuano hotshot Mark Tallo might get most of the attention.

The Green Archers, meanwhile, boast a taller lineup from last season with big men Norbert Torres, Arnold Van Opstal and Alfonso Gotladera among the rookies of coach Dindo Pumaren.

But the Tigers also added height to their roster with the entry of Cameroonian Karim Abdul, Jon Sheriff and former Tiger Cub and UAAP juniors MVP Kevin Ferrer.

Tickets to the the tournament, backed by major sponsors FilOil, Flying V, Total Phils, Gerry’s Grill, BDO, Oxycan, Bayo, Molten and corporate backers TMS Ship Agencies, Cobra Energy Drink and San Marino Tuna, are available at SM Tickets (4702222) and at the game venue.

Jasmine Payo, Inquirer.net