The Lions clashed with the Cardinals at 2 P.M. after United States Ambassador Kristie Kenney graced the Association’s inaugurals as a guest speaker. Scoring 85 points against the Cardinals’ 52.

Riego Gamalinda and Sudan Daniel scored 14 and 13 points, respectively, to lead the Red Lions in season opener before jam packed Araneta Coliseum. Meanwhile, Mark Acosta and Paul Cinco of the Cardinals, scored with 10 points each.

“I felt a lot of pressure. I expect the next games to be more challenging. I need to step up my rebounding,” said Daniel, the six-foot-eight American rookie who is expected to replace last year’s MVP Sam Ekwe as the starting center.

Don’t lose hope.

Now that the official word came out, the NCAA Tournament this 85th season will have 10 Schools. Guest teams Arellano University, Angeles University Foundation and Emilio Aguinaldo College will join member schools Colegio de San Juan de Letran, College of Saint Benilde, Jose Rizal University, Mapua Institute of Technology, San Beda College, San Sebastian-Recoletos, and University of Perpertual Help Dalta System.

Let’s hope that when the tournament starts on June 27, 2009, the addition of the three schools will help rebuild the glory of Philippine National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).