THE UNWANTED UAAP PREVIEW PART 1
Another inexorable virus will slowly sweep the nation in the coming weeks. Thankfully, it absolutely has nothing to do with our health. Despite the increasing Influenza scare in majority of the metro’s colleges and universities, the much-awaited 72nd season of the UAAP season is all set to open shop next month. Local basketball fans are expected to swarm the Araneta Coliseum this July 11 to support their schools, scream their official chants, and salivate over their favorite players in the country’s most popular basketball league.
For some reason, there are not many UAAP previews available on the Internet. I considered this a sign that the basketball gods have commissioned me to make my personal preview yet again- to the chagrin of my avid readers, all five of them. I’m making this a three-part special post because I have this false and hubris-plastered belief that people wait for my blog entries.
Again, like in my previous UAAP previews (like this one), my analyses are all based from what I know last season. I will gauge the teams according to the players lost, players retained, and players added. I don’t like to depend on the teams’ performances on pre-season tournaments since these are just like normal pick-up games with better lights and better uniforms.
Adamson Soaring Falcons
Last season: 3-11 (7th place)
Season 71 was a season of transition for the Falcons. First, they underwent a coaching transition: from being handled by a loose but mediocre Bogs Adornado to being handled by an austere but competent Leo Austria. They also experienced a system transition: from having a legitimate scoring threat in Patrick Cabahug to well, not having a legitimate scoring threat. Paul Gonzalgo didn’t really scare the daylights out of the opponents with his offense.
These transitions were reflected on the court as the players struggled with consistency. Despite having a knowledgeable tactician in Austria, who returned after a one-year absence, the Falcons lacked the fluidity and mentality to set up their plays. They looked like they still have oily residues of Adornado’s style. They had difficulties adjusting to more organized basketball. The fact that they didn’t know who to go to on offense didn’t help as well, what with a lineup made up of role players like Jerick Cañada, Michael Galinato, Marc Agustin, and Jan Colina. Need proof? Adamson was the worst offensive team last season with a measly 64.4 average. In addition, only Gonzalgo had a double-digit scoring average, barely making the cut with 10.2 PPG.
Things, however, are looking bright for Adamson this season. With one whole year of togetherness under their young wings, Austria and the Falcons are now more familiar with each other, and more importantly, with the whole system. The only time the boys from San Marcelino will encounter the word “transition” is when they run on the break. The Falcons are expected to capitalize on their speed, which will be spearheaded by jitterbug court general Cañada, who shared assist leader honors with UP's Arvin Braganza last year (4.1 APG). The Falcons have decent size inside, but their big men, despite their agility, are not used to playing back-to-the-basket. That is why it is logical for them to put the pedal to the metal and just run, run, run.
The Falcons may not soar up to basketball heaven this year but all signs are leading to improvement. Their acquisition of controversial rookie Jaypee Importante (expect a typhoon of pun intended comments on the kid’s surname) from the PCU camp will shore up their firepower. The PBL experience of Cañada, Galinato, and Colina, the improved play of guard Lester Alvarez, and the comeback of veteran Leo Canuday give Austria a readier core compared to last year. Adamson flapping all the way to this year’s Final Four is not a consensus improbability but more of a waiting reality.
Players to watch: Jan Colina and Lester Alvarez
Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles
Last season: 13-1 (Champion)
Back-to-back is the obvious battle-cry for the Ateneo hopefuls this year. All eyes will be on the Blue Eagles as they try to win consecutive UAAP titles for the first time since 1987-1988 with players like Jun Reyes, Olsen Racela, Jayvee Gayoso, and Danny Francisco. Still with a strong lineup and an indomitable head coach in Normal Black, it looks like the loud battle-cry will shatter every team’s eardrums this Season 72.
With or without Chris Tiu, the pride of the blue side of Katipunan is still considered one of the top teams this season. Reigning MVP Rabeh Al-Hussaini is still the most dominant big man in college hoops and he will get tons of help inside the paint with defensive stalwart Nonoy Baclao. Last year’s top rookie Ryan Buenafe, meanwhile, will play a bigger role as the team’s second option now that Tiu played out his eligibility. Rounding out Ateneo’s solid holdovers are Eric Salamat and Jai Reyes. The former is still the team’s top perimeter defender (Salamat led the league in steals last year with a 2.1 average), while the latter inherits the leadership tag from Tiu. Salamat and Reyes may not score in bunches every game, but they sure bring a lot of intangibles to the table.
The Blue Eagles are slam-dunking personifications of the old basketball adage “defense wins championships.” Ateneo was the top defensive team last season, allowing only 62.3 points per game. If the Eagles want to repeat, then they should continue to D up. If there’s one concern for the Eagles this season, it’s their thin bench. The team’s sophomores will need to spread their blue wings more if they want to duplicate their Season 71 success. Justin Chua and Vince Burke will literally have big shoes to fill as back-ups of Al-Hussaini. This is not actually a good development for Ateneo since Chua and Burke still have unpolished low-post skills. Expect Nico Salva, Tonino Gonzaga, and Oping Sumalinog to play better though after showing blitzes of potential last year.
Tiu’s absence will not be that big of a factor as most people think. It may be cruel to hear this, but the Blue Eagles don’t really need Tiu anymore. His teammates have already learned from him and it is now their time to show it on the court. Besides, Black has made intelligent players out of most his wards. And with a title tucked under their belts, they all know by now the fool-proof equation to winning in the UAAP: hard work plus high basketball IQ. Back-to-back? Why not?
Players to watch: Ryan Buenafe and Oping Sumalinog
De La Salle Green Archers
Last season: 10-4 (2nd place)
It looks like the Green Machine will be heavily recalibrated this season with a roster made up mostly of rookies-eight to be exact. Head coach Franz Pumaren will have his hands full in greasing up this year’s Green Archers. His clear goal is to make them as effective and as well-oiled like his past teams. If there’s one man who could make men out of boys, it is Pumaren-and no, it’s not because of his trademark daddy moustache.
Having a team made up of rookies is unfamiliar territory for Pumaren since he usually has the luxury of having a balance of veterans and greenhorns. The only other time he also had a bunch of rookies was in 2003 (JV Casio, Gerwin Gaco, Ryan Araña, etc.) But knowing his caliber, he will find ways to make the best out of his young guns. One thing going for La Salle is that most of the rookies already played for Pumaren in the RP Youth Team, so familiarity issue is already scratched off. The only thing that needs to be addressed is their readiness. Will they succumb to the pressure and physicality of the UAAP? The only rookie who can immediately say “no” is Arvie Bringas. The former San Sebastian Staglet will reinforce La Salle’s weak frontline and will probably get the staring nod at center now that he is the team’s only tested big man with Ferdinand and Marko Batricevic sidelined.
The other rookies will have to earn their minutes as most of them play the same positions as rotation guys James Mangahas, L.A. Revilla, Bader Malabes, Hyram Bagatsing, and Peejay Barua. Simon Atkins and Kish Co will return this year and will also be part of Pumaren’s immediate rotation. Of the two, expect Co to contribute more as he will be one of the main options at the four spot along with Maui Villanueva. On the other hand, Atkins, who retracted his decision to choose showbiz over basketball, will probably play back-up point guard since Revilla had an impressive rookie year.
The most important factor for this La Salle squad is not the entry of new players but the exit of old players JV Casio and Rico Maierhofer. It will be extremely difficult for the Archers to fill the gap left by the two stars. To put things clearly, Casio led La Salle in points, assists, and steals, while Maierhofer led in rebounds and blocks. But aside from their production, it is their leadership and composure that will be missed by the team. While Mangahas has proven to be a capable leader, his play in crunch time remains to be seen as evidenced by his M.I.A. in last year’s finals. Barua has the skills to put up points but he lacks leadership qualities. For now, it will be Pumaren who will lead his young team and hope that someone will pick up the cudgels as the season goes along. On paper, it looks like La Salle will fall short of the Final Four. But it’s hard to imagine a UAAP semifinal without them. And don’t forget: Franz Pumaren is still calling the shots.
Players to watch: Hyram Bagatsing and Arvie Bringas
Far Eastern University Tamaraws
Last season: 10-4 (3rd place)
If there’s one team that poses the biggest threat to Ateneo’s back-to-back hopes, it’s the FEU Tamaraws. Remember, FEU is the only squad that beat the Blue Eagles last season-and that was a game wherein Al-Hussaini put up 33 points and 20 rebounds. How come FEU still won? One letter: D. The Tamaraws match up well with the Eagles because they play terrific team defense. FEU was the third best defensive team (behind Ateneo and UE) last season with only 69 points allowed. The Morayta squad did not have the best players last year but still managed to get wins because of their dedication on defense.
Things, however, are different this time. With the graduation of the likes of Jervy Cruz, Tiu, Casio, and Maierhofer, FEU now boasts of majority of the best players this season. Mark Barroca is hands down the top point guard and an early candidate for MVP if his play with the Smart Gilas RP Team is any indication. Aldrech Ramos remains one of the league’s top defenders after leading the league in blocks last season (2.9 BPG). J.R. Cawaling and Reil Cervantes also belong to the upper tier of their respective positions with their improving talent and PBL experience. The entire league can expect nothing less from the Tamaraws and head coach Glenn Capacio will make sure that they won’t play below expectations.
Like Ateneo, the main problem for FEU is its tame supporting cast. Cameroonian Pipo Noundou will finally suit up for the Tamaraws after a two-year residency. He will quickly be part of the rotation after his fine showing in the pre-season. But then again, that’s just what it is: a pre-season. It will be interesting to see if things will pan out for him when the actual games start. After Noundou, there’s not much in the FEU cupboard except for Paul Sanga and Jens Knuttel. Roose Ryan Garcia, another rookie from the RP Youth Team, will likely be brought in slowly by Capacio. It’s a must for the FEU bench to step up if they want to make it to the finals for the first time since winning it all in 2005.
Capacio, known as a tough defender during his PBA days, has instilled the importance of defense to his players. That same philosophy will bring them to greater heights this season. Anything less of a finals appearance will be a disappointment for FEU and the pundits acquiesce that there’s no way the Tamaraws won’t be able to barge into the Last Dance. Perhaps the only way to prevent FEU from doing so is to kidnap Barroca, Ramos, Cervantes, and Cawaling and put them in an island far far away.
Players to watch: Pipo Noundou and Jens Knuttel