ATENEO BLUE EAGLES : With the exit of Greg Slaughter, Nico Salva, Justin Chua, Oping Sumalinog and Tonino Gonzaga and with the injuries of some key players and absence of Ryan Buenafe due to academic duties, some didn't expect much of the Blue Eagles. Lacking enough ceiling, some of basketball analysts forecast that the Loyola squad couldn't even land on this year's UAAP Final Four. But, newly appointed head coach Bo Perasol has other things to say. 3 weeks into summer league action, they have won 4 out of 5. King Eagle Kiefer Ravena shows the way on winning in the post - Norman Black era teaming up with awesome rookie, Chris Newsome. The only downfall of the Blue Eagles will be the rebounding department. But as of firepower and scoring load, I guess Ravena and Newsome can fill the void left by their graduates.
+'s : They were outrebounded by opponents this tourney but still managed to find wins; Nico Elorde seems to be a able back-up for Juami Tiongson even if the UAAP Board apply the 2 year residency on Jerie Pingoy who will become ineligible to play.
-'s : There's only 2 legit centers in the rotation of Coach Bo : Frank Golla and Giboy Babilonia. Assuming that JP Erram be ready by the start of the UAAP season, still the Blue Eagles doesn't have a legit post scorer.
LETRAN KNIGHTS : No more Aces. This will be a rebuilding year for the Knights but still would want to contend for this year's summer tourney and the coming NCAA season. Missing the services of the Alas'es, the Knights would rely on their key veterans Mark Cruz, Jojo Belorio and Raymond Almazan. Arguably the best rookie of this year's batch, Rey Nambatac could be the heir to the throne of the younger Alas, Kevin but I don't see it happening yet. Maybe in 3 years time or so. But he top scored when they were up against the Blue Eagles. Their inexperience and focus are suspects for the Knights' success but still, I think that they can land into the NCAA's Final Four.
+'s : Almazan decided to stay. They have convinced Rey Nambatac to stay given the fact that he is heavily recruited by Ateneo, UP and others.
-'s : Almazan decided to join in the PBA Draft. His focus and his playing to his full potential might be questionable due to his choice to join the pros.
UP FIGHTING MAROONS : New season for the Fighting Maroons. But still, old problems head their way this year. They have lost notable veterans Mike Silungan and Mike Gamboa, but recruited some of the best talents in the country. Sam Marata, a former DLSU Green Archer decided to come back home to his high school alma mater. Coach Ricky Dandan also got the services of Xavier's top gunner Kyles Lao and LSGH big man Andre Paras. They also have Mikee Reyes back in action after a year of absence. In order to win, the Maroons should able to find a consistent outside scorer in Marata, Lao and co. and a decent low post option in Raul Soyud, Chris Ball and Paras.
+'s : Recruitment seems to be good factor for UP every each year. Getting Kyles Lao is a major boost of the Diliman-based squad but they should give him enough playing time since on his first game as a Maroon, he committed some turnovers and throwed airballs even. The coaching staff should give this kid some confidence and I know for sure in years time, he could bring UP back into the Final Four.
-'s : Inexperience and getting physical underneath the basket certainly are the Maroons' weaknesses.; Running the show for them is a sophomore guard in Henry Asilum which failed to impress UP patrons is truly a question. Evidently, when Mikee Reyes hits the bench, its Asilum's turn but he is prone to turnovers and taking ill-advised shots. They need another point guard as well.
ARELLANO CHIEFS : The Arellano Chiefs might be the acid test of the reigning NCAA 3-peat champions San Beda. They have a formidable lineup from point guard upto the center position. Top gunner James Forrester and playmaker John Pinto seems to be maturing every year. Fil-Canadian scoring machine AJ Serjue expected to play this year after a delay due to ACL injury. Also coming from limelight is former JRU Light Bomber standout Keith Lester Agovida who in 2008 turned heads because of his 82-point performance. Coach Koy Banal is expected to guide this team in search for the school's first Final Four appearance. But personally, I think the Chiefs could go all the way to the finals.
+'s : Scoring will not be a problem for the Chiefs. Forrester, Pinto, Levi Hernandez, Serjue, Agovida, Prince Caperal and others could score. Against a Final Four contender UPHSD Altas and the UP Maroons, they have scored 74 points consistently and never trailed in any quarter.
-'s : Defense might be the suspect for the Chiefs if they failed to reach their goals, especially in the inside when they need to deal with Ola Adeogun, Raymond Almazan, Noube Happi etc.
SAN SEBASTIAN GOLDEN STAGS : Returning head coach Topex Robinson will face an insurmountable task of leading the Stags into the Final Four yet again. Losing all their Kapampangans in their lineup, the Stags will rely on local recruits like prolific scorer CJ Perez, Baldwin Guinto and Leo De Vera. With Calvin Abueva, Ronald Pascual, Ian Sanggalang, Lyle Antipuesto, Michael Miranda, Dexter Maiquez and AJ Vitug no longer around, this will be a new look for the Stags. Don't expect a full fast-phased attack which the "Beast" normally do. Expect a more set-up based team and Jovit Dela Cruz should be their glue if they want their team to do well this year. In the game against SWU Cobras, CJ Perez showed signs of brilliance but still need to develop consistency and his decision making especially on picking his shots. I don't see Baldwin Guinto to be a force inside. He is like a poor man's version of SBC's David Semerad, only taller. But he does have good hands inside when catching strong passes.
+'s : Recruiting local talents balances what have been lost. But I don't think they can replace a beast who leads the NCAA in scoring, rebounding and assist all in a single season, a first in the 88 years of the league. But still, I guess they have good enough talents to contend with the title. Also, they don't have Mayor Dennis Pineda on the bench whom I see to be a distraction more of a asset for the team. I guess Topex could really run the show for the Stags.
-'s : No Abueva. Plain and simple.
DE LA SALLE GREEN ARCHERS : If there's any team that impressed me so far, it is the DLSU Green Archers. They have a 10 upto 11-man rotation which I think is the deepest collegiate rotation in the country today. Leading their campaign is last year's super rookie Jeron Teng. Almond Vosotros is the main man at the point for them and getting noticeable recruits like Kib Montalbo and Jason Perkins is a great addition for this team. Jason Perkins have stolen the spotlight from the Bacolod native Kib Montablo when he played under pressure against a tough UST squad on opening day. Arnold Van Osptal and Norbert Torres seems improved their skills, thanks to Jun Limpot. My prediction for this team is that they could go all the way to this summer tourney upto the UAAP crown.
+'s : Giving Jeron Teng some valuable minutes to rest in crucial stretch of the game is a plus for them assuming that Gabby Reyes and Oda Tampus would provide good minutes for them. In the UST game, Gabby Reyes provided the spark off the bench and Jeron Teng got his well deserved minutes. In crucial games, that would be a plus for coach Gee Abanilla. ; Getting Allan Caidic as their shooting coach is humongous.
-'s : So far, none.
SAN BEDA RED LIONS : The 3-peat NCAA Champions are still the strongest in the NCAA. They may have lost Jake Pascual, Anjo Caram and Melo Lim to graduation but still, the Red Lions managed to reload every single season. The come-backing twins, Anthony and David Semerad are great addition to an already fierce lineup. Top man for the Lions would still be their junior guard Baser Amer but they need to have a steady back up in order to sustain energy and level of play when Amer hits the bench to rest. Seems like Yvan Ludovice and Utoy Abarcar are fit to the role especially former Red Cub and transferee from the DLSU Green Archers, Dan Sara failed to play well in the 3 games that the Red Lions have played. Also, Jake Pascual's heir, Arthur Dela Cruz is playing well as of late and seems to be a lock at the power forward in the first five position. Kyle Pascual is still be the starting center and graduating Ryusei Koga would be at the 2 spot. Captain Rome De La Rosa would be the anchor in defense but would not hurt if time to time will be carrying the load for them in scoring from penetrations and kick-out passes. First year coach Boyet Fernandez will not have a difficult time adjusting since he served as a consultant last year for the Mendiola-based squad.
+'s : Having a strong 18 man pool is a plus for the team. I think the decision of getting the best 15 players will be the main issue here. Reloading each year is the key of success for this team.
-'s : When guarding foreign recruits especially the big ones, Kyle Pascual should develop more lateral movements and improve his outside game. They need to train bigs like Jeric Estrada (a transferee from Ateneo) and Junjun Bonsubre. Alfred Aroga of NU exposed this weakness. Thank God NU is in the UAAP.
UST GROWLING TIGERS : Many would argue if I say that the UST Tigers would win and they should win the UAAP crown this year. UST's Westbrook and Durant tandem of Jeric Teng and Aljon Mariano will surely play their hearts out siting the fact that this would be their final playing year together with MVP runner-up Karim Abdul. Coach Pido Jarencio would miss Jeric Fortuna as his main point guard but expect a combo guard like Tata Bautista to do the play-making chores. Kevin Ferrer should still be the first option on guarding the wing scorer of the opponent. Even with only a 6-7 rotation, the Tigers are playing well so far, except for the last 3 minutes against DLSU. The loss of Jeric Fortuna is evident especially in taking crucial decision in the game.
+'s : They have a formidable 5 that can score inside and out. Imagine a Chicago Bulls squad in the 90's. But Rodman does have an outside shot. This team is scary.
-'s : Point Guard. I know Tata Bautista can play. He can shoot. But I think he can't do what Jeric Fortuna has done for the team last year. Jon Sheriff and Robbie Tan should improve improve immediately to avoid disasters for their campaign. JMP
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