The Universities and Colleges Athletic League-PG Flex Linoleum Season 6 opens Saturday, Jan. 20, with defending champion Centro Escolar University out to flaunt its might the way it dominated the opposition last season.

And newcomer Manila Central University should better be prepared when it goes up against the CEU Scorpions at 12 noon at Manila’s Paco Arena as UCAL presented by Angel’s Pizza becomes the first collegiate league in the country to open this year before an expected huge and excited supporters.

Philippine Women’s University, the other neophyte in the 9-team league, also gets its “baptism of fire” against Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas at 2 p.m.

But all eyes will be on the Scorpions – who returned to the summit last year by conjuring up a magical run that saw them win 14 games, including a two-game sweep of Olivarez College in the finals.

The title win put CEU on level with Diliman College for the most number of titles with two each after winning the inaugural event in 2016.

Apart basketball, the league also backed by Smart Sports, will also be holding for the first time men’s and women’s volleyball, men’s 3x3 and Esports.

The Scorpions and Dolphins may have experience and depth on their side, but they can never take the MCU Supremos and PWU Patriots for granted.

For one, the two schools are determined to make their respective debuts a memorable one with Andrei Romenez, Ralph Tadeo and Yannick Tizie ready to lead the Supremos against the CEU troika of Franz Diaz, Dylan Darbin and Dave Bernabe.

Spearheading the Dolphins are CJ Morillo, Ram Mesqueriola and Datu Ali Adas.

Also taking part in the league are Diliman College, Olivarez College, Guang Ming College in Tagaytay City, University of Batangas, and Lyceum of the Philippines-Batangas.