(July 09, 2012) MANILA, Philippines — After an impressive preseason showing, host National University is raring to strut its wares in the upcoming 75th season of the UAAP, which will open this Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

“This year, we want to show to everyone the strides that was made by the whole NU community. We hope to give all of the supporters, students and alumni the best season ever,” said UAAP President Nilo Ocampo of host National University at the press conference launching the league’s 75th season at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

NU will parade reigning UAAP MVP Ray Parks and the rest of the vastly improved Bulldogs against a very determined University of the East squad in the 2 p.m. curtain-raiser.

Final Four candidates University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University tangle in the 4 p.m. main game.

“I’m very excited about this season. We had a good showing in the Fil-Oil tournament. We’re very optimistic on having a good showing this coming season, but our chances are as good as other teams o because the UAAP is a different stage,” said NU head coach Eric Altamirano, whose wards bagged the championship in the Filoil Flying V Hanes Preseason Cup.

Games will be shown live on Studio 23 and will retain their usual 2-6 p.m. every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

At least 60 percent of the games will be played at the MOA Arena while some will be staged at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and Ultra in Pasig.