ADAMSON SOARING FALCONS : Coach Leo Austria has been optimistic about his Falcons' chances this tourney and the upcoming UAAP season. With the graduation of Alex Nuyles and Eric Camson, the Falcons have a big hole to fill. But with a win against powerhouse FEU tucked on their belts this summer league, I think the Falcons can hope for a better performance in the last UAAP season. With the recruits of Axel Iñigo and Dawn Ochea, and the resurgence of scorer Jerico Cruz, the Falcons are indeed a force to be reckoned with. Adding Ingrid Seva in to the lineup, the Falcons now do have an inside presence they missed for years in Ken Bono. Eventhough, I will still give this team a year or two to do damage and have impact in the college basketball world. Immaturity and inexperience will be the problem for this San Marcelino-based squad.
+'s : They have a deep 8-9 man lineup that can match up with big teams like DLSU, NU and FEU. I think Francis Donahue will be the x-factor off the bench.
-'s : Starting PG Ryan Monteclaro should able to handle his counterpart to have a chance in getting to the Final Four this year. He should withstand the likes of Juami Tiongson of ADMU, Almond Vosotros of DLSU, RR Garcia and Terrence Romeo of FEU.
FEU TAMARAWS : First-year head coach Nash Racela already has a problem this early. RR Garcia and Terrence Romeo, two of the superstars of the team are failing to attend practices due to the conflict of schedule of the FEU team, their PBA D-League team (NLEX and Big Chill) and the Fruitas Shakers that is being handled by Nash Racela. No doubt that this team is scary on paper. But I think chemistry will be the main problem of the Tamaraws this year. If they want to achieve things, the two stars should further commit themselves to the system and rules of Racela before its too late. During the Adamson game, it was evident that the two doesn't have the playing time they used to have under coach Bert Flores. They played with Achie Iñigo in most of that game whom I think is still inexperienced and less-talented than the two. They must also have Anthony Hargrove back in shape if they want to go places this year.
+'s : Nash Racela being their head coach is certainly an upgrade for the Morayta-based team. He will certainly bring positive vibes in the Tamaraws' camp.
-'s : Chemistry will be the main issue between RR Garcia and Terrence Romeo. Its whether they can play together or whether who will be the point and who will take the shot.
JRU HEAVY BOMBERS : This year will be the rebuilding year of the Heavy Bombers. Its like when John Wilson, Mark Cagoco and James Sena graduated. The only bright spot of this team so far is their recruit from San Beda, Paolo Pontejos. Pontejos looked like a superstar when they were up against his former team. Coach Vergel Meneses will have a very hard time cracking the Final Four yet again.
+'s : At least the Heavy Bombers will have another season to test their metals against elite of the UAAP and the NCAA. Paolo Pontejos should be their main guy off the bench.
-'s : They will miss a bunch of their veterans that's for sure. I think they can't even reach the 6th spot of the NCAA or worst, land on the last spot.
UPHSD ALTAS : After landing on the Final Four last season, the Altas have nothing in mind but to do same peat. Missing the services of their main shooter Jett Vidal due to graduation, the Altas is still a contender in the coming NCAA season. With Harold Arboleda, Nosa Omorogbe and Femi Babeyemi still at their helm, I think they could still hope for another dejavu this year. Coach Aric del Rosario still remains the chief tactician on the bench for the Las Piñas-based squad.
+'s : They still have a formidable and solid front court. They can even out-rebound their opponents from time to time.
-'s : The Altas need to have a shooter to break the 2-3 zone of their opponents. They should develop Earl Thompson into a complete scorer/shooter and not just a slasher and dishing out passes.
NU BULLDOGS : The National University does have lots of inspiration to get to the top this year. The inspired Bobby Ray Parks Jr. and the 6'6 Cameroonian Alfred Aroga leads the NU's attack. Eventhough the wins of NU came from two buzzer beater heroics, I think that the Bustillos-based Bulldogs can repeat the achievement they had last season on this summer tournament. Their only significant loss is center Jean Mbe due to graduation and Gelo Alolino who is still nursing an injury. RP under-18 standout JJ Alejandro made his debut and had a good performance. I think coach Eric Altamirano is just hiding some aces and strategy until the UAAP season starts.
+'s : Solid performances of all the Bulldogs fielded in the summer tourney. Kyle Neypes has done an incredible job on honing his outside touch even from the 3-pt line. Robin Roño has been steady at the point guard position and RTU transferee Troy Rosaro is making waves with his relentless hustle and energy off the bench.
-'s : Even with an almost intact lineup, I still see problems at the small forward position. Only Parks is a legit small forward of this team. I imagine an Aljon Mariano of UST fiesting over his NU defenders when Parks hit the bench.
UE RED WARRIORS : Ayaw na naming matalo. Roi Sumang said. That's what in mind of this young Red Warrior. After 2 forgettable seasons, the Red Warriors are set to make impact in the basketball scene. With recruits like Mario Bonleon from LSGH and Charles Mammie from Arellano, they join a steady crew of Roi Sumang, Chris Javier and Adrian Santos. Come-backing JM Noble will play a vital role inside the shaded lane. Coach Boysie Zamar expects a good season for his squad. I think they can could contend even the likes of the defending UAAP champions which they did (eventhough they lost the game).
+'s : Getting recruits from other schools revitalized this young squad from Recto. I think Gino "Barroca" Jumao-as will be the x-factor when Sumang take his rest on the bench.
-'s : Focus and steadiness are the main concern for this team. They were leading Ateneo for most of the second half of their game but failed to stay gritty until the final buzzer.
CSB BLAZERS : It's like when Baste lost their superstars. Its the same but the Blazers only have one. They may have lost Carlo Lastimosa but the Blazers are putting up pieces together by playing with what they have and they are getting good vibes about it. Finishing second place in the just-concluded Fr. Martin's Cup and giving a scare to powerhouse NU, I think the Blazers are even better now than when they have Lastimosa. Mike Romero and Jonathan Grey provides the spunk in their offense and Luis Sinco is calling the plays for them once more. Newly appointed coach, Gabby Velasco says that the team is still inexperienced and this year seems to be their improvement and rebuilding year.
+'s : They will rely on themselves not only on just one man. Without Carlo Lastimosa on the team makes them unpredictable to opponents. One night it can be Mike Romero, the other it will be Grey's turn. I think it will make them more flexible in offense.
-'s. The positive things can also be negative. They can be unpredictable, yes but it also shows that they don't have a go-to guy that they can truly rely on when crunch time comes.
EAC GENERALS : The Generals are expecting fireworks this early of their summer campaign. With the addition of Gigi Manga Hiole to their front court, makes the Generals more steady and can really contend with the likes of San Beda and Letran. Eventhough their center Noube Happi didn't played last time against the Blue Eagles, the Generals made the game really interesting and not just another boring and lopsided game. They even took the lead in the 3rd canto, just to gave up in the last 5 minutes of the game. From my own opinion, the Generals could be the last piece into this year's NCAA Final Four. They have the height to cover and out-rebound opponents. Coach Gerry Esplana should make the Generals' dream into reality.
+'s : Gigi Manga Hiole will be Happi's able back up. Thank God the NCAA only allows one foreign player to be fielded on the court.
-'s : They still don't have a legit point guard to run their offense. John Tayongtong is too offense minded, he is more of a scorer than a PG. Francis Munsayac can provide spark off the bench but is too small to guard his opponent from the other team.
LPU PIRATES : This season might be a win-less season for the Lyceum Pirates. Their main gunner from the outside Chris Cayabyab have already used his playing years. Now the Pirates seek points in the scoring prowess of Shane Ko. But I think its not enough to get wins for them. Even with the balik-Lyceum forward Andrei Mendoza from Letran, I don't think they can handle what other NCAA teams have.
+'s : A new season. A clean slate. That's all.
-'s : They don't have the tools to battle with the teams with the NCAA. Even with Cayabyab around, they can't manage to keep the score close with their opponents. They certainly need a Gary David to turn their fortunes around.
BOLD PREDICTIONS :
UAAP SEASON 76 :
After the Eliminations :
1. DLSU Green Archers
2. UST Growling Tigers
3. NU Bulldogs
4. ADMU Blue Eagles
5. FEU Tamaraws
6. UE Red Warriors
7. AdU Falcons
8. UP Fighting Maroons
Final Four:
DLSU defeating ADMU
UST defeating NU
Finals: UST edging DLSU in 3 games.
NCAA Season 89 :
After the Eliminations:
1. SBC Red Lions
2. AU Chiefs
3. UPHSD Altas
4. CSJL Knights
5. SSC-R Stags
6. EAC Generals
7. MIT Cardinals
8. CSB Blazers
9. JRU Heavy Bombers
10. LPU Pirates
Final Four:
SBC defeating CSJL
AU defeating UPHSD
Finals : SBC edging AU in 2 games
*Note : The 3rd upto the 6th position in the NCAA rankings are interchangeable. The SSC-R Stags and the EAC Generals can be one of the Final Four teams. But I have given the edge to UPHSD and CSJL because of last year's peat. . Well, I could be wrong. :)JMP
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