Welcome to UAAP Season 74!
With no further adieu, we’re presenting our team rankings for this season
(8) UE Red Warriors
UE is in unfamiliar territory. From perennial contenders, they are now the league’s whipping boys. Worse, it seems that the Warriors failed to sign up new blood to boost their campaign. Rookie coach Jerry Codinera will rely on Paul Zamar to fill the HUGE void left by James Martinez, Ken Acibar, and the Cobra Commander Paul Lee. No one wants to be in their spot right now.
Key veteran: Paul Zamar / 6.3ppg, 1.4rpg, 1.6apg
Key losses: Paul Lee / 14.4ppg, 6.7rpg, 4.6apg, 2.0spg
(7) UP Fighting Maroons
Gone from their lineup are former Team Pilipinas reserve Magi Sison, scoring ace Woody Co, Alvin Padilla, and Joshua Saret, but new coach Ricky Dandan remains optimistic. Mike Silungan will star the show and with Mike Gamboa, Miggy Maniego, and Mark Juruena, the Maroons could shock people. And oh yeah, they have a behemoth in their lineup called Alinko Mbah. His presence should spell awesomeness.
Key veterans: Mike Silungan / 11.3ppg, 4.0rpg, 1.8apg, 1.0spg
Key loss: Magi Sison / 11.9ppg, 10.0rpg, 2.1bpg
(6) NU Bulldogs
When money talks, people listen, and this is what’s happening at NU. With the Bulldogs’ basketball program getting the proper attention, it’s all systems go for Eric Altamirano and his boys. With Bobby Ray Parks having the go signal to play, this team is formidable, also having Emmanuel Mbe around. Most of last year’s nucleus is gone, and NU will banner a bumper crop of new blood like Cedric Labing-Isa, Kyle Neypes, and Samigue Eman’s kid bro Spencer Eman.
Key veteran: Emmanuel Mbe / 13.4ppg, 11.7rpg, 1.2bpg
Key loss: Joseph Hermosisima / 10.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 2.7apg
(5) UST Growling Tigers
This pick should shock people, but I feel that in their 400th year, the host team is bent to create stir. Sure, they are still guard-infested but Pido Jarencio has a lot of tricks in his sleeve. Leading the Tigers are Chris Camus, Jeric Teng, Jeric Fortuna, Melo Afuang, and Karim Abdul. And then there’s Kevin Ferrer. This ex-high school star is expected to wreak havoc in the UAAP.
Key veteran: Chris Camus / 9.3ppg, 8.9rpg, 1.6apg, 1.1spg
Key loss: Clark Bautista / 11.1ppg, 1.3rpg, 1.2apg
(4) La Salle Green Archers
Their rich basketball tradition could probably trump their intact but somewhat tolerable lineup. Last year, their biggest problem was offense and the fact that the vets left in their squad can’t carry the team to victory. Hopefully, Dindo Pumaren can stir his intact lineup back to the finals with Simon Atkins, Maui Villanueva, Sam Marata, Spider Webb, Yutien Andrada, and the comebacking LA Revilla.
Key veteran: Simon Atkins / 8.9ppg, 2.9rpg, 3.4apg, 1.4spg
Key loss (HAHA!): Ferdinand / 2.0ppg, 2.2rpg
(3) Adamson Soaring Falcons
The Falcons are expected to chalk up the wins with their intact lineup. This is their time to shine especially since erstwhile powerhouse teams like UE and UST are now rebuilding. Guiding this cast is their long-time mentor, Leo Austria, and starring for the Falcons are Lester Alvarez, Eric Camson, Jan Colina, Jerick Canada, Janus Lozada, Lionel Manyara, Roider Cabrera, and Alex Nuyles.
Key veteran: Alex Nuyles / 11.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 1.2apg
Key loss: William Stinnett / 3.8ppg, 3.3rpg
(2) FEU TAMARAWS
This team is the closest squad to unseat Ateneo, but they may have to do this without injured rebounding demon Pippo Noundou. Teams have to think of ways to stop returning coach Bert Flores and his band of stars with MVP RR Garcia and Team Pilipinas star Aldrech Ramos at the helm. Despite losing Reil Cervantes and Paul Sanga to graduation, they are still dangerous. Also expected to strut their wares are Terrence Romeo, JR Cawaling, Jens Knuttel, and rookie Cris Tolomia.
Key veteran: RR Garcia / 15.5ppg, 3.9rpg, 2.8apg, 1.0spg
Key veteran 2: Aldrech Ramos / 10.9ppg, 8.2rpg, 1.6apg, 1.9bpg
Key loss: Reil Cervantes / 10.9ppg, 7.1rpg, 2.4apg
(1) Ateneo Blue Eagles
Last year was their rebuilding season. If that was rebuilding, what in the holy hell are they going to call this season!?! Norman Black will call the shots in a lineup that is so strong that it was easy for him to drop last year’s Finals MVP and the currently overweight Ryan Buenafe. They will have in their cudgels Team Pilipinas mainstay Greg Slaughter, high school phenom Kiefer Ravena, and old reliables Nico Salva, Justin Chua, Kirk Long, and Emman Monfort.
Key veteran: Kirk Long / 9.6ppg 4.2rpg, 2.6apg, 1.5spg
Key loss: Eric Salamat / 10.4ppg, 2.5rpg, 4.2apg, 1.8spg
Comments? Suggestions? Violent reactions? Write them in the forum below. (SS)
