Sizing Up the New Boys

There's a lot of rookies and new players that have been so impressive on the 2013 Filoil Premier Cup. Lets break down their performances.

Charles Mammie (UE)

If there's one player that I think had the most impact in the pre-season tourney, it will be Charles Mammie of UE. He helped the Red Warriors to achieve a 6-2 record in the Group B standings and booked a Semifinal slot.  For me, the impact of Mammie on UE and the UAAP will be the same as of Greg Slaughter when he joined Ateneo.

Chris Newsome (ADMU)

Before Ateneo pulling out of the pre-season tourney, Chris Newsome has been Kiefer Ravena's able back-up. He's versatile and athletic and the game against La Salle, he showed thathe can even play the 4 spot if needed. If only Ateneo has serviceable big men like Greg Slaughter and Nico Salva before, Newsome should be a 2 or a 3 in the starting line up. 

Kib Montalbo (DLSU)

This kid from Bacolod haven't impressed me that yet. He lacks intensity and energy in the game and seems to be too young in the college basketball game. He was even out-played by a much smaller Francis Munsayac in a game against EAC. But I still give him time to mature. He showed some signs of brillance against SWU Cobras. 

CJ Perez (SSC-R)

Game Announcer Rolly Manlapaz calls him the "New Beast" as he wears the old jersey number of Calvin Abueva but haven't really showed much like of the latter. Yes, he is good and can play ball. He is much athletic and lean than Abueva. But as far as impact and style of play are concerned, he is far from a Calvin Abueva during his rookie year. I will give a year or two to hone his style of play before we call him the "Beast". 

Jason Perkins (DLSU)

I think Jason Perkins is the old-school power forward built-wise. He is big and bulky, kind of a Zach Randolph. During the eliminations, he showed that he is next to Jeron Teng and Norbert Torres when it comes to scoring options of the Archers. Finally a low-post threat for La Salle after Norbert Torres. I think, he will be one of the most noticeable rookies in season 76 of the UAAP. 

Rey Nambatac (CSJL)

Arguably the best scoring guard of this year's rookie batch, Rey Nambatac showed everyone that he can be Kevin Alas' heir apparent. Much of the games, he always top scored for the Knights. I think he will be one of the scoring option of the Letran Knights come NCAA season. Just a little more improvement on the dribble-drive game, he can be a force that will shape Letran's fortune of yet a Final Four slot again.

Kyles Lao (UP)

Kyles Lao hasn't been playing enough minutes to show his worth. He isn't even in the UP's rotation and just behind Joseph Marata and Julius Wong on the depth chart. He is a legit scorer from Xavier and only if coach  Ricky Dandan will give ample playing time for this kid, he will be a scoring option for the Fighting Maroons.

Rodolfo Alejandro Jr. (NU)

This kid redshirted last year due to his duties on the national team and now is eligible to play for the Bulldogs come UAAP Season 76. During the elims, he showed that having exposure first in  NU's Team B only made him tougher for the big league. Coach Eric Altamirano shows confidence in JJ Alejandro, he even played him at the crucial stretch of their opener win against San Beda.

Andre Paras (UP)

The former LSGH Greenie followed the footsteps of his dad, Benjie when he joined the UP Fighting Maroons. However, coach Ricky Dandan is still honing the young Paras to develop. He is not playing the minutes he used to play in his high school days but better future will be ahead of him. His body and height are already college basketball-material so honing of talents will only be the downside of Andre. JMP