The UAAP begins today and so we preview the first four teams who’ll
see action – the Fighting Maroons, the Red Warriors, the Green Archers, and the
Tamaraws!
 |
| Top left: Kyles Lao hopes to lead UP to its first win in years. Top right: Roi Sumang is due for an MVP-type season. Bottom left: Jeron Teng should lead DLSU back to the title. Bottom right: FEU is now Mike Tolomia's team. |
UP FIGHTING MAROONS
Last season: Finished last with zero wins.
Roster:
Name
|
Height
|
Position
|
AMAR, Agustini
|
6’2
|
G/F
|
ASILUM, Henry
|
5’9
|
PG
|
BEDERI, Darwish
|
6’7
|
C
|
DARIO, Diego
|
5’8
|
PG
|
ESCALAMBRE, Carlo
|
G
|
|
GALLARZA, Joseph
|
6’5
|
PF
|
GINGERICH, Moriah
|
6’2
|
SF
|
GONZALES, Nhomer
|
||
HARRIS, Andrew
|
6’4
|
PF
|
JURUENA, Mark
|
6’5
|
PF/C
|
LAO, Kyles
|
6’0
|
SG
|
LIM, Jarrell
|
G
|
|
MORALDE, Dave
|
6’2
|
SG/SF
|
PASCUAL, Martin
|
6’5
|
C
|
REYES, Mikee
|
5’9
|
PG
|
VITO, Angelo
|
6’5
|
C
|
Prognosis:
Let’s just go and say what everybody already knows – the UP
Fighting Maroons are in for another struggle in Season 77. They lost two of
their top offensive weapons – Raul Soyud and Sam Marata – and they also lost
their most aggro rebounder, Chris Ball. Oh, and did I mention that promising
young PF Paolo Romero also isn’t in the roster? This is going to be one
guard-heavy team, and coach Rey Madrid will probably have his players go up
tempo and fire away from long distance with no conscience.
That would probably play to UP’s advantage, of course, as guys like
Kyles Lao and Henry Asilum have proven that they can hang with some of the best
scorers in the UAAP. The returning Mark Juruena should be this team’s top
option in the frontline, though former San Beda Red Lion Dave Moralde can also
split some time on the wings and in the paint. Joseph Gallarza ain’t no slouch,
too. Coach Madrid probably won’t get much from Martin Pascual and former Ateneo
Team Glory B big man Darwish Bederi, so, again, expect opposing frontliners to
have a field day against the Iskos.
The Maroons have some rookies, however, who can potentially grow
into solid UAAP players. Diego Dario was a star scorer at UPIS, and his
slashing and shooting might be reminiscent of a more raw Roi Sumang. Of course,
that’s provided he gets a lot of playing time. Jarrell Lim, like Lao, is a
product of the sublime Xavier School hoops program, and, like Lao again, Lim
was a big time scorer for the Golden Stallions. I’m not sure if his size (or
lack of it) will be an issue at this level, though. Former LSGH and Energen
Pilipinas big man Gelo Vito seems like another intriguing young gun. Vito is
built like a bruiser, so expect him to not shy away from contact in the shaded
area. Still, despite the promise of new talent, nobody should really set
his/her sights high for the Diliman quintet. They might not go winless this
season, but it’s pretty much certain they won’t make the Final Four.
UE RED WARRIORS
Last season: Tied for fifth place with seven wins and as many defeats.
Roster:
Name
|
Height
|
Position
|
ALBERTO, Dan
|
5’10
|
PG
|
CHARCOS Edgar
|
5’8
|
PG
|
CUDAL, Steven
|
6’2
|
SF
|
DE LEON, Ronnie
|
6’6
|
C
|
DERIGE, Clark
|
||
GALANZA, Pedrito
|
6’2
|
SG
|
GUIANG, Darylee
|
6’4
|
F
|
HERNANDEZ, Ivan
|
6’6
|
PF
|
JUMAO-AS, Gino
|
6’3
|
SG
|
MAMMIE, Charles
|
6’8
|
C
|
ARAFAT, Moustapha
|
6’6
|
C
|
OLAYON, Mark
|
6’1
|
SF
|
PALMA, Emil
|
6’1
|
G/F
|
SUMANG, Roi
|
5’10
|
PG
|
VARILLA, Paul
|
6’4
|
F
|
JAVIER, Christopher
|
6’5
|
PF
|
Prognosis:
This year’s hosts lost a lot of key players after Season 76 – Adi
Santos, Jhon Sumido, Jairold Flores, Ralf Olivares, JM Noble, and Lord
Casajeros among others. That means much of coach Derek Pumaren’s main rotation
will be made up of up-and-coming guys and new import, Moustapha Arafat. Naturally,
this also means even more will be expected of veteran playmaker Roi Sumang.
The big news for the Reds is the prospective double-headed beast of
Arafat and man-monster Charles Mammie. Arafat is 6’6 and Mammie is 6’8, so, at
least size-wise, UE will have a very imposing frontline. Both aren’t exactly
gentle giants, too, so undersized squads like UP, Adamson, and Ateneo will have
their work cut out for them.
Sumang should be UE’s main offensive weapon here, and I wouldn’t be
surprised if he puts up big numbers on a daily basis. He might even be a
sleeper MVP candidate, should things go rosy for the Recto quintet. Expect the
former Letran Squire to be one of the league’s leaders in scoring, three-point
field goals made, and steals.
When the going gets tough, however, I’m not entirely sure Sumang is
the kind of leader who can carry this team on his shoulders to the Finals Four.
Coach Pumaren has some intriguing pieces here (Bong Galanza, Gino Jumao-as, and
Mark Olayon had their moments last season) and a guy like Chris Javier can be a
difference-maker (remember that game-winner against Ateneo a couple of years
ago?), but, by and large, the Warriors might still end up outside looking in.
DLSU GREEN ARCHERS
Last season: Won the UAAP Men’s Basketball title!
Roster:
Name
|
Height
|
Position
|
ANDRADA, Yutien
|
6’5
|
F/C
|
BOLICK, Robert
|
6’1
|
G
|
MONTALBO, Kib
|
5’9
|
PG
|
MUSTRE, Terence
|
5’8
|
PG
|
PERKINS, Jason
|
6’3
|
F
|
RIVERO, Prince
|
6’3
|
F
|
SALEM, Matt
|
6’3
|
F
|
SARGENT, Julian
|
6’3
|
F
|
TENG, Jeron
|
6’2
|
SF
|
TORRES, Norbert
|
6’6
|
C
|
TORRES, Thomas
|
5’8
|
PG
|
TRATTER, Abu
|
6’6
|
F/C
|
VAN OPSTAL, Arnold
|
6’9
|
C
|
VOSOTROS, Almond
|
5’10
|
G
|
Prognosis:
When the dust settles in October this year, anything but a second
straight UAAP title will be a disappointment for the Green Archers. This is a
tight and talented team that has proven it can fight through adversity and win
the big games. They came back from being 3-4 in the first round last season.
They came back from being down 15 in the third quarter of Game 3 of the UAAP
Finals. This is a team that has a knack for doing what needs to be done in the
big moments.
And did I mention that their roster is loaded with some of the most
promising and athletic players this side of Taft Avenue? Leading the pack are
Season 76 heroes Arnold Van Opstal, Almond Vosotros, Jason Perkins, and Finals
MVP Jeron Teng. Thos four along can carry any team to a Seniors title, but wait
till you see their supporting cast. They still have veterans Norrbert Torres
and Yutien Andrada up front, while super sophs like Kib Montalbo and Thomas
Torres should continue their rapid improvement this season.
And because this is La Salle, we can count on some great newcomers
coming to the fold. Foremost is former RP-Youth player Prince Rivero, who
played in the 2013 FIBA 3x3 Youth World Championships. He’s a little undersized
for his natural PF spot, but his talent is definitely undeniable. Other guys we
should keep tabs on are foreign-bred guys Terrence Mustre, Abu Tratter, and
Julian Sargent. All those three are billed as athletic guys who will be sparks
off the pine for the Green & White.
In the end, there is just no denying that DLSU is this season’s
runaway favorites to repeat as Kings of Collegiate Hoops. They have the depth,
the great coaching (how can we forget the Popovich-ish Juno Sauler?), and the
championship mettle to, once again, rule the UAAP.
FEU TAMARAWS
Last season: Made the Final Four and got the boot courtesy of DLSU.
Roster:
Name
|
Height
|
Position
|
BELO, Mark
|
6’3
|
PF
|
CRUZ, Carl
|
6’3
|
F
|
DAVID, Jason
|
5’8
|
PG
|
DELFINADO, Jeson
|
5’11
|
G/F
|
DENILA, Augus
|
6’3
|
G
|
DENNISON, Ron
|
5’9
|
PG
|
ESCOTO, Richard
|
6’3
|
F
|
ESCOTO, Russel
|
6’6
|
C
|
HARGROVE, Anthony
|
6’5
|
F/C
|
INIGO, Achie
|
5’8
|
PG
|
JOSE, Raymar
|
6’4
|
PF
|
LEE YU, Joel
|
5’9
|
G
|
POGOY, Roger
|
6’2
|
G/F
|
TAMSI, Al
|
5’11
|
SG
|
TOLOMIA, Mike
|
5’11
|
SG
|
UGSANG, Reeve
|
6’4
|
PF
|
Prognosis:
The big questions is this: can the Tamaraws win without BOTH
Terrence Romeo and RR Garcia? I believe the answer is a resounding YES. This is
now Tolomia’s team, and that’s actually a good thing because coach Nash Racela
no longer has to contend with the underlying theme of having two alphas run his
squad. Tolomia has a lot of great pieces around him, too. Mark Belo is coming
off a great stint with the RP Team in the 2013 SEA Games. Beanpole Russel
Escoto is back in the fold. Veterans Roger Pogoy, Raymar Jose, and Carl Cruz
should provide a lot of stability.
The x-factor for me here, though, is Anthony Hargrove. In the elims
last year, Hargrove played just under 20 minutes per game, scoring only 5.5
points and grabbing only 4.2 rebounds per outing. Needless to say, for FEU to
return to the Final Four, Hargrove will have to produce much bigger numbers
this time around. He’ll need to be what Karim Abdul is to UST. And now that
Terrence Romeo isn’t around to black hole all the shot attempts, it’s
reasonable to expect that the Tams will go down to Hargrove and give him more
than 4.7 attempts per outing, right?
Still, this team will really go only as far as Tolomia takes it.
This is a guy who averaged 18 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds per game over
the summer. He hit 51% of his 2-point FGs and 44% of his threes. He made nearly
2 triples per game. One need not be a rocket scientist to see all that is
leading to a breakout season for Tolomia. Last season, he normed 9 points in 25
minutes per game. Expect him to play closer to 30 per outing and average
perhaps closer to 15 markers.
Oh, and that should be enough for the Moraytans to reach the Final
Four again.
1 Comment
well said
Balas