Action is expected to heat up today as six-time defending champion West Negros College and last year's runner-up Colegio de San Agustin-Bacolod battle different rivals in the 2005 NOPSSCEA collegiate basketball tournament at the Po Hang Gym of Bacolod Tay Tung High School today.

The Mustangs eye their third win when they face the University of St. La Salle at 4 p.m., before CSA-B takes on the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos at 5:30 p.m.

"I have a solid line-up, but the players cannot take La Salle lightly because it also prepared well for the tournament", Mustangs coach Elvis Atinado told the DAILY STAR.

Last year's Most Valuable Player Sunny Abaring, who scored a total of 56 points against two opponents last week, is expected to spearhead the West Negros' offense, while Erwilson Santos is likely to lead the San Agustin Eagles.

Santos exploded for 28 and 20 markers, respectively, when it defeated Cadiz-based Cedar Institute of Technology and the Stingers a week ago.

Cedar will play the AMA Computer College at 2:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, BTTHS and the Baby Mustangs will also take on separate opponents are hoping to catch up with USLS in the top spot of the high school junior boys at the WNC Covered Court.

West Negros will face Our Lady of Purity Academy-San Enrique at 9 a.m., before Tay Tung clashes with the Jack and Jill School-Castleson at 2:30 p.m.

In football, defending champion WNC will tackle USLS for solo leadership in the collegiate division at 2 p.m. at the UNO-R football field.

The Norman Fegidero-mentored West Negros booters are expected to rely on the tandem of Siegfred Apurado and Robert Canedo to spearhead WNC's offensive attack.

West Negros and La Salle also hope to maintain their overall advantage in the secondary level when they meet different rivals.

The WNC booters will battle St. John's Institute in the opening match at 8 a.m., before USLS takes on Murcia-based Our Lady of Pillar Academy at 9:30 a.m.

In volleyball, the men's collegiate category will kick off with CSA-B battling Visayan Maritime Academy at 1 p.m. at the USLS-Integrated School Covered Court.

UNO-R will face La Consolacion College-Bacolod at 2:15 p.m.

The UNO-R spikers will also open its bid in the women's category against LCC-Bacolod at 3:30 p.m.

Reigning titlist St. Scholastica's Academy aims to notch its second straight win in the high school girls' division when it clashes with BTTHS at 1 p.m., while defending champion La Salle will start its campaign in the high school boys' category at 4 p.m. at the USLS College Covered Court. *CIT

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