'Barometer' La Salle will be this season's favorites

Originally posted on the Balls Channel website on July 7, 2014

With an almost intact lineup and an impressive set of rookies, all will agree that De La Salle University is still the heavy favorite to reclaim the crown.

And even the other UAAP coaches are in unison in saying that the Green Archers will be this season's team-to-beat, as evidenced in the UAAP Season 77 press conference Monday at Gloria Maris in Gateway, Cubao.

Even though Ateneo and UP, which are both out of the country for their preseason buildup, are absent in the gathering, the Green Archers' impressive resume is still the talk of the town one week before the UAAP season. And every ine's eyes are solely focused on the squad in green and white.

"La Salle will still be the favorites. I think they have a better line-up this season compared to last season," said FEU coach Nash Racela.

UE coach Derrick Pumaren added, "They still have the team that won the championship last year."

"Maganda yung lineup nila because they have Fil-foreigners and locals who blend well with each other's style," said UST coach Bong dela Cruz.

NU coach Eric Altamirano butted in, saying, "It's obvious that they are a team to beat because they have a good team and they have a good coach."

"Definitely, La Salle is going to be the barometer for this UAAP season," said Ateneo assistant coach Yuri Escueta.

And who could argue that claim? The squad only lost LA Revilla last year due to graduation and will be parading "class A" rookies in Julian Sargent, Abu Tratter, Terence Mustre, and Prince Rivero, to join the complete Green Archers core bannered by Jeron Teng, Almond Vosotros, and Arnold Van Opstal.

But for coach Juno Sauler, he said that all of these preseason fanfare means nothing if his team can't focus on its set goals this coming season.

"In my humble opinion, I don’t really focus too much on expectations and what the future is according to the opinions of others," he said. "Day-by-day, game-by-game, we need to get better. We need to do that in every practice and perform every game, that’s what's most important rather than expectations."
But for this season's commissioner Andy Jao, he sees an even playing field.

"I know the teams are very competitive. I looked at their line-ups and I've seen their games in the preseason. We've seen a lot of things in basketball wherein teams have improved as the season goes along. But pre-season is very much different than the real games," he said.

"To be perfectly honest, I really see very difficult competition. As matter of fact, I expect the game of La Salle and FEU, and NU and UST to be very tough," Jao said, talking about the main games in the opening weekend.

"You know the other teams, they're very tough teams," he said. "We have some of the better coaches in the country. We are appreciative of the fact that they’ve put their talents in this league and you know it’s the premier amateur league. Schools have really supported them."

The UAAP Season 77 kicks off on Saturday, July 12, at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, with the opening ceremonies tipping off the festivities at 12:30 p.m.

Hosts UE will face off with UP in the curtain-raiser at 2 p.m., while defending champs La Salle try to open their back-to-back bid against the tough FEU squad at 4 p.m.

BALLS Channel will air same day replays of the games.

BALLS can be seen on SkyCable channel 34 or Destiny Cable channel 36.

*****

UAAP Previews: Adamson | Ateneo | La Salle | FEU | NU | UE | UP | UST

UAAP Season 77 Primer: La Salle Green Archers

Originally posted on the Balls Channel website

Head Coach: Marco Januz "Juno" Sauler (2nd season)

Last Season: Champions (10-4 in the eliminations)

                #2-seed in the Final Four; beat FEU in one game in the Final Four

                beat UST in the Finals, 2-1

Key Losses: LA Revilla, Luigi dela Paz, Gabby Reyes, Jarelan Tampus

Holdovers: Jeron Teng, Almond Vosotros, Jason Perkins, Arnold Van Opstal, Norbert Torres, Thomas Torres, Kib Montalbo, Matt Salem, Robert Bolick

Key Acquisitions: Yutien Andrada (returnee), Julian Sargent, Terrence Mustre, Prince Rivero, Abu Tratter

The Coach Says:

“My expectation for us is to play good basketball. I don’t believe in rankings and favorites. What’s more important is how you conduct yourselves during the season, during the games, and hopefully, whatever it is you want to get, you can get to that destination. We want to play good basketball. Wherever that will take us, then we’ll accept that.” – coach Juno Sauler

The Players Say:

“May pressure din sa amin kasi champions, kasi out of all the teams, kami yung team to beat. Na-feel namin na kami yun this season, because last year’s defending champion (Ateneo), sila yung target ng lahat.” – Jeron Teng, forward

“No expectations. Sakto lang, walang gaanong pressure. We’ll just promise na we will work harder time times ten than last season.” – Almond Vosotros, guard

“People are out there to get us. But we’re just getting focused on getting better as a team. We’ll be doing all we can to execute better. Every team will be a challenge.” – Jason Perkins, forward

X-Factor: Almond Vosotros

If there’s someone who has saved La Salle for a number of times in the past year or so, it’s no less than Almond Vosotros.

The 5-foot-10 killer will be playing his final year for the Green Archers, and it seems like coach Juno Sauler’s stoic demeanor which comes with his no-nonsense approach to the craft has already rubbed off to Vosotros.

“Sakto lang,” he said, when he was asked on the team’s expectation for this season.

“Honestly, si Coach Juno, the way he talks sa team, he’s very inspirational. Bihira lang siya magsalita ng marami, as in few words lang talaga. Pero talagang mage-gets mo kung ano yung point niya, kung ano gusto niya sa team, kung ano ang gusto niya para sa amin at para sa future,” Vosotros said.

And it really helps that being the floor general is like being the team’s coach on the floor.

Aside from embodying Sauler’s persona in the hard court, you better expect the 24-year-old guard to once again hit a number of those backbreaking shots, not to mention being the squad’s anchor on offense and defense.

If someone’s going to end his collegiate career with a bang, expect Vosotros to be a sure shot at it, the same way La Salle expects his treys to go in every single time.

Prognosis:

No doubt, La Salle is overwhelming favorite to repeat this season.

With a virtually intact lineup and an athletic cast of rookies coming into the fray, coach Juno Sauler will have an impressive roster at his disposal.

Already loaded from point guard (Vosotros, Thomas Torres, Kib Montalbo, Robert Bolick), wingers (Jeron Teng, Jason Perkins, Matt Salem), to the big guys (Arnold Van Opstal, Norbert Torres, Yutien Andrada), the Green Archers will also get a big boost with the inclusion of swingman Julian Sargent and hardworking forward Abu Tratter.

But despite the downpour of praise rained to La Salle, Sauler has always reminded his boys on the importance of constant improvement, and at the same time, shutting down the talks of them being the number-one team when Season 77 tips off.

Aside from the nitty-gritty of their playbook, the coach of a few words also wants to see more of the team’s consistency in their performance, as even though the Green Archers have won the Filoil preseason tilt, it showed times when the team tended to be sloppy and did relaxed when they owned big leads, costing them games in the process.

Though La Salle is convinced that their back-to-back championship aspirations would not be a walk-in-the-park, if their team, which is oozing with potential, can get its bearings together and live up to their hype, the Green Archers will be a very, very hard team to beat this season.

*****

UAAP Previews: Adamson | Ateneo | La Salle | FEU | NU | UE | UP | UST

UAAP Season 77 Primer: UST Growling Tigers

Originally posted on the Balls Channel website

Head Coach: Segundo "Bong" Dela Cruz (1st season)

Last Season: Runner-up (8-6 in the eliminations)

                #4-seed in the Final Four, overcame NU’s twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four

                lost to La Salle in the Finals in three games

Key Losses: Coach Pido Jarencio, Jeric Teng, Clark Bautista, Robin Tan, Robert Hainga, Bryan So, Jeepy Faundo, Edcor Marata

Holdovers: Karim Abdul, Kevin Ferrer, Aljon Mariano, Ed Daquioag, Jamil Sheriff, Kim Lo, Paulo Pe, Kent Lao, Joco Macasaet

Key Acquisitions: Louie Vigil (returnee), Gelo Sablan, Levi dela Cruz, Alfren Gayosa, Regie Basibas, Renzo Subido

The Coach Says:

“Basta kami, ganun pa din: pride, puso, palaban. Sana maging maganda yung outcome ng season, basta’t every game, every practice, kailangan nagi-improve kami. Maraming expectations dahil complete pa yung veterans. So ine-expect nila na makakabalik kami ng Finals. Kaya lang, mahirap magsalita agad. Kailangan naming magtrabaho, mag-work hard yung players and coaches para magawa namin yun.” – coach Bong dela Cruz

The Players Say:

“Lalaban pa rin yung team. Pipilitin pa rin naming makapunta ulit ng Final Four at Finals. Yun din naman yung gusto naming makuha eh – yung (championship) ring.” – Kevin Ferrer, forward

“Last chance ko na ‘to. Last opportunity para makuha yung championship sa team namin. Mas gutom ako kasi ang sama ng laro ko last season. Di na ko nag-dwell sa nangyari last season. Ginawa ko na lang yun na motivation, kumbaga back to zero kami para makapag-focus this year. This season, redemption ‘to para sa kin at para sa team namin.” – Aljon Mariano, forward

“Championship pa rin ang target namin. Ngayon kasi, we’re more on team offense and team defense. Malaki kasi yung nawala sa amin, pero naramdaman na namin yung ganito dati nung na-injure si (Jeric) Teng, so yung responsibility naman, naka-adjust na kami ng konti. Kailangan na lang talagang punan yung shooting ni Tata (Bautista).” – Ed Daquioag, guard

X-Factor: Louie Vigil

He’s one of those “secret weapons” coach Pido Jarencio brought up two seasons back, and after sitting out last season, new coach Bong dela Cruz and the Growling Tigers pin their hopes on a much improved performance from Louie Vigil.

Now tasked to take a bigger role after the gaping hole left by star gunner Jeric Teng, the former NCAA Juniors MVP is eyed to be one of those key scorers for UST after an impressive showing in the select preseason tourneys joined by the boys in black-and-gold.

The 22-year-old guard said that the one year break allowed him to rediscover his old self, subjecting his body on a better conditioning program and developing a killer instinct.

“Wala namang masyadong nagbago. Although nag-sit out ako last year, I’m still with them kaya walang major adjustments na nangyari,” Vigil said. “Kung ano yung kaya kong i-ambag sa team, yun yung kailangan kong gawin. Mas malaki na yung responsibility ko kasi malaki yung nawala kaya dapat lagi lang akong handa.”

Prognosis:

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

UST will have to subject itself on that way of thinking, as the Growling Tigers verge on its post-Pido era. Coming along with that is the departure of Jeric Teng and Clark Bautista, who have been key cogs in the back-to-back Finals trip for the España boys.

And they will not be the only one, as a number of opponents still believe that UST will be a force to be reckoned with, as it is set to once again parade seasoned veterans in Kevin Ferrer, Aljon Mariano, Ed Daquioag, the much-improved Jamil Sheriff, and the hulking Cameroonian Karim Abdul.

The Growling Tigers also welcome Louie Vigil back to their fold, alongside its heady rookie recruits like Gelo Sablan from UPIS, Alfren Gayosa from San Sebastian, and Renzo Subido from La Salle-Zobel.

Dela Cruz says that the ideals of coach Pido will remain there, but his system will zero-in more on offense, as he is set to unveil a more exciting running game for the Growling Tigers.

He also said that preparation for this season has been a rocky one, with a lot of reasons due to a number of injuries the players had. But he promises that when they finally get to their full strength, UST will no longer have to wait for long to once again get a crack on that championship. 

It still begs to wonder if Dela Cruz, as much as he has served two years as an assistant under Jarencio, has seamlessly incorporated his coaching ideals to the squad, the same way if he has as much charisma as his predecessor had.

*****

UAAP Previews: Adamson | Ateneo | La Salle | FEU | NU | UE | UP | UST

UAAP Season 77 Primer: FEU Tamaraws

Originally posted on the Balls Channel website

Head Coach: Raoul Cesar "Nash" Racela (2nd season)

Last Season: Third Place (10-4 in the eliminations)

                #3-seed in the Final Four, lost to La Salle in the Final Four

Key Losses: RR Garcia, Terrence Romeo, Gryann Mendoza, Christian Sentcheu, Joshua Aguilon, Jovannie Luz

Holdovers: Mike Tolomia, Mac Belo, Roger Pogoy, Carl Bryan Cruz, Anthony Hargrove, Achie Iñigo, Raymar Jose, Jeson Delfinado, Ron Dennison, Joel Lee Yu

Key Acquisitions: Russel Escoto (returnee), Francis Tamsi, Reeve Ugsang, Richard Escoto, Gus Denila, Jason David

The Coach Says:

“Our expectation is to be able to compete against the tougher teams. The end goal is to better the performance from last year, but we can’t look that far. So ang initial goal namin is to win games, get better and hopefully get to the Final Four. The key this year  will be our defense. When you lose 34 points from Terrence (Romeo) and RR (Garcia), mahirap na mag-depend on your offense. I know the capability of our team sa offense, but if we want to go far this year, it will be because of our defense.” – coach Nash Racela

The Players Say:

“Confident ako ngayon sa team kasi nagwo-work kami as a team. Alam naming sa lineup, di kami ganung kalakas, pero we’re working as a team at lalaban lang kami.” – Mike Tolomia, guard

“Walang masyadong pinagbago sa preparation namin. Basta ginagawa lang namin yung tama sa court, and focus sa defense. Yung ball movement namin, mas ikot yung bola, and yung transition namin, kailangan talagang tumakbo. Run-and-gun kami, at the same time, maganda yung defense namin dahil sa rotation.” – Mac Belo, forward

“We’re playing better team basketball. We lost Terrence and RR, who are our focal points on offense, but this year, we became more team oriented. We’re getting contributions from other players who didn’t play much last year.” – Anthony Hargrove, center

X-Factor: Achie Iñigo

The losses might hurt FEU, but Mike Tolomia has seamlessly took the lead role in the guard rotation. The question now is to who will be his backcourt tandem in the starting lineup.

Racela has already answered that by putting Iñigo in the point guard position, with Tolomia sliding to the two-guard role.

And in the preseason, the 22-year-old has proven himself worthy of the role, steadying the ship in numerous times in their tuneup games.

But again, the preseason is different from the UAAP, and for Iñigo, he said that he is ready for the challenge.

“Ready naman ako. Ngayon na nabigyan ako ng opportunity, I’ll just grab it,” he said. “Di ko naman pine-pressure yung sarili ko kahit na mabigat yung role na nawala sa amin. Kailangan lang i-fill yung spot na binakante nila, help my teammates improve, at gawin yung mga pinapagawa ni coach especially sa defense, executing plays, dishing assists, and grabbing rebounds.”

Prognosis:

Most teams go on a massive rebuilding stage when they lose two or three of their key players. FEU is not one of those teams.

Racela has been vocal in saying that the team has started its massive retooling the moment Romeo and Garcia took their mettle to the pros, and so far, after numerous tournaments, the Tamaraws are more than ready to start the season.

The FEU frontline will get a big boost from Mac Belo will be coming with a deep international experience after suiting up for Sinag Pilipinas last SEA Games. Still upfront for the Tamaraws are Hargrove, Carl Bryan Cruz, Raymar Jose, and the return of Russel Escoto.

Fourth-year forward RR Pogoy is also looking for a breakout season, as Racela has really preached the importance of sharing the ball in his squad’s dribble-drive offensive system.

FEU caught everybody off guard last season with a first round sweep, but the Tamaraws fizzled out as the season went on.

This time, they hope that they already learned from the mistakes of last year and sustain their winning momentum all season long.

If there’s one positive thing the departure of FEU’s former star guards has brought upon to the team, it is the team has bonded more, and the absence of a go-to guy would really be a big weapon for the Tamaraws, as Racela hopes that his 16 King Tamaraws can once again bring the trophy back to their lair.

*****

UAAP Previews: Adamson | Ateneo | La Salle | FEU | NU | UE | UP | UST

UAAP Season 77 Primer: NU Bulldogs

Originally posted on the Balls Channel website

Head Coach: Eric Altamirano (4th season)

Last Season: Fourth Place (10-4 in the eliminations)

                #1-seed in the Final Four, lost twice-to-beat advantage to UST in the Final Four

Key Losses: Bobby Ray Parks, Emmanuel Mbe, Robin Roño, Jeoff Javillionar, Dennice Villamor, Mark de Guzman, Maurice Porter, Cedric Labing-isa

Holdovers: Troy Rosario, Gelo Alolino, Glenn Khobuntin, JJ Alejandro, Kyle Neypes, Paolo Javelona, Tristan Perez

Key Acquisitions: Alfred Aroga, Henri Betayene (returnee), Reden Celda (returnee) Rev Diputado, Raph Atangan, Dave Yu, JP Cauilan, Mohammed Salim, Ralph Tansingco

The Coach Says:

“We have a young team. Malaki yung kawalan ng core players namin kasi halos lahat ng nawala, yun ang nagbibigay ng offensive output sa amin. But I think this year, it has to be a collective effort. Kailangan talaga magtulungan sila lahat. Outputs will come from different people. One of the things na nakikita ko this coming year is that we’ll be unpredictable. Di lang isang tao o dalawa ang gagawa, kailangan maggaling sa lahat. Di lang sa offense but sa defense also, we have to step up.” – coach Eric Altamirano

The Players Say:

“Yung pagkawala ni Ray (Parks), eye-opener sa amin yun para mag-step up kaming mga veterans. Kailangan naming ipakita yung standard ng last year’s team sa mga rookies para maka-adapt sila agad.” – Troy Rosario, forward/center

“Syempre masakit yung nag-back to zero na naman kami. Sayang kasi andun na kami eh. Panibagong umpisa ulit, kaya dapat ma-control na namin yung mga ginagawa namin. Sobrang gigil kami makabawi, pero gagawin lang lagi namin yung mga pinapagawa ni coach.” – Gelo Alolino, guard

“Di ko makalimutan yung pagkatalo namin sa UST last year. It was a tough loss. Gigil ako bumawi this season kasi ayoko nang maulit yung nangyari last year. Ready na ako sa season. Kung pwede nga lang magsimula na yung UAAP bukas, handing handa na akong lumaro ulit.” – Glenn Khobuntin, forward

X-Factor: Reden Celda

After two years, Celda makes his return to the main squad, and this time, with a lot of key cogs gone, he will have a lot more responsibility lying in his 6-foot frame.

And with the Bulldogs’ need for an instant sparkplug higher than ever, the 22-year-old guard has proven himself worthy in the preseason to be Altamirano’s super-sub, igniting the NU offense with his daring drives and sweet jumpers.

But for the 6-foot Celda, he’s just stepping up to the plate for his team.

“Ginagawa ko lang yung kaya ko sa binibigay na minutes sa akin. Gusto ko, may ma-contribute ako sa team everytime na nasa court ako. Malaking bagay rin yun para manalo kami,” he said.

Prognosis:

Is NU earning more for the team by losing its key cogs?

That question will be answered as NU verges on its post-Bobby Ray Parks era, and for Altamirano, he needs the rest of the Bulldogs to pick up the slack.

The enhanced emphasis on team play would be very vital in the Bulldogs’ campaign, more if they can find the right pieces to fill in the gaps left by their former stalwarts.

Alfred Aroga finally makes his long awaited debut for NU, and the Cameroonian is expected a lot this coming season. He would not be left hanging as Gelo Alolino, Troy Rosario, and the rest of the team wants to exorcise the bitter taste left by last season’s setback – blowing a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four against UST after securing the school’s first-ever number-one seed finish.

Though the holdovers believe that they already gained enough experience after two years of staying at the top, it would really matter more if they can share that learning to their stellar cast of rookies.

With a lot of fresh set of legs, Altamirano promised an exciting brand of basketball, as his young wards are ready to run the opposition to the ground. But playing in a fast-paced style is a totally different thing from playing run-and-gun and staying with the system.

It begs to ask if this young team of NU can play their exciting style and still have the maturity to make the right plays in the endgame, staying composed in their offensive sets and not gambling on the defensive end.

Those miscues could be crucial for the Bulldogs, more that the league’s competitiveness is at a high, where one win can spell the difference between making the playoffs and missing the Final Four.

NU will compete to the Final Four. We have no doubt about that. It just remains to be seen if they can translate their upside to reality come Season 77.

*****

UAAP Previews: Adamson | Ateneo | La Salle | FEU | NU | UE | UP | UST

UAAP Season 77 Primer: Ateneo Blue Eagles

Originally posted on the Balls Channel website

Head Coach: Dolreich "Bo" Perasol (2nd season)

Last Season: Fifth Place (7-7 in the eliminations)

Key Losses: Juami Tiongson, Ryan Buenafe, JP Erram, Frank Golla, Earl Murphy, Ivan Enriquez, Fran Asuncion

Holdovers: Kiefer Ravena, Chris Newsome, Nico Elorde, Von Pessumal, Kris Porter, Vince Tolentino, Isaac Lim, Gboy Babilonia, Gwyne Capacio, Anton Asistio

Key Acquisitions: Thirdy Ravena, Arvin Tolentino, John Apacible, Clint Doliguez, Jay Javelosa, Alfonso Gotladera

The Coach Says:

“Ang challenge ngayon is marami sa kanila, more than half of our team, first time maglalaro together. So yung level ng competitiveness namin, dapat mas mataas sa pinakita namin this summer and last year. That becomes a challenge sa mga bata, that we need to be in the Final Four – we have to. Its difficult but we need to be there. Anything can happen, but we need to put ourselves in the position to play there.” – coach Bo Perasol

The Players Say:

“Tingin ko number one pa rin kami.  I don’t want to have that attitude that we're underdogs, even though in reality, we are. I don't want to have that loser’s mentality na hindi kami malakas. Tingin ko, kami pa rin ang pinakamagaling.” – Kiefer Ravena, guard

“The only expectation is to win. Last year wasn’t enough. Everything we did, its not enough. We have to work harder this year.” – Chris Newsome, forward

“Ine-expect ko na magkaroon agad ako ng impact sa team as a, sabi nga nila, prized recruit. Sana makatulong ako na makuha yung championship.” – Arvin Tolentino, forward

X-Factor: Kiefer Ravena

Failures change a man’s perspective of life, and for Kiefer Ravena, falling short for the first time in his collegiate career was a bitter pill to swallow.

But with a new season set to kick off, the 6-foot guard knows that all he needs to do is to move forward.

“Tapos na 'yun,” he said. “Hindi kami magmo-move forward if we keep on thinking about what happened last year. Gagawin na lang naming motivation 'yun.”

This year, Ravena looks like a changed man, more motivated than ever to lead Ateneo in their aspirations of reclaiming the UAAP crown.

“I don't lead by talking. I lead by example. I go hard every practice and I push them, try to get the best out of them as soon as possible, kasi you want results immediately,” he said.

Could this be the year the 6-foot guard take home the MVP award?

Prognosis:

Perasol believes that this season will be a year of struggle for Ateneo, knowing the players, rediscovering the system, and preparing for the future.

But a promising rookie class, led by Thirdy Ravena and Arvin Tolentino, can change that idea, and if these guys overachieve, this season can be far better than what Perasol expects it to be.

Unlike in the previous years, the Blue Eagles will be thoroughly undersized, as they will rely on the efforts of Tolentino, Alfonso Gotladera, and Kris Porter to grab those boards.

Also not helping is the absence of a pure point guard, as Nico Elorde will be the only one to fill up that gaping hole.

What Perasol hopes this season is that his players will take cover for each other and go hand-in-hand in undertaking this process, in what could possibly be the start of a bright future for the Katipunan boys.

That doesn’t mean that we are expecting them to miss the Final Four this season, because there’s a big chance that they will make it to the last dance.

If you’re an Atenean, and your star guard Kiefer Ravena seemed like he is hell-bent in taking the Blue Eagles back to the Final Four and taking the championship, wouldn’t you bet your life that he’ll keep his word?

*****

UAAP Previews: Adamson | Ateneo | La Salle | FEU | NU | UE | UP | UST

UAAP Season 77 Primer: UE Red Warriors

Originally posted on the Balls Channel website

Head Coach: Derrick Pumaren (1st season)

Last Season: Sixth Place (7-7 in the eliminations)

Key Losses: Coach Boycie Zamar, Lord Casajeros, Ralf Olivares, Adrian Santos, JM Noble, Jai Flores, JR Sumido

Holdovers: Roi Sumang, Charles Mammie, Chris Javier, Bong Galanza, Gino Jumao-as, Mark Olayon, Dan Alberto, Ivan Hernandez

Key Acquisitions: Moustapha Arafat, RR de Leon (returnee), Paul Varilla, Daryl Guiang, Junard Caparida, Renz Palma, Edgar Charcos

The Coach Says:

“I expect them to play hard every game. That’s the target right now. What we put in is what we harvest at the end. What we’re gonna do right now is step-by-step, one game at a time, quarter-by-quarter, things like that. Of course, we want to win. I didn’t come here and accept this job for the sake of coaching. I came here to win. Everybody knows that, the whole team knows that and it’s the attitude that we have. Hopefully the players will be able to know the system already by the time of the opening.” – coach Derrick Pumaren

The Players Say:

“Ayaw kong sabihin na target namin ang Final Four. Ita-try namin yung best namin para makapunta sa Finals.” – Roi Sumang, guard

“I improved a lot. I practice everyday, trying to be the best I can so I can improve myself for the team. I’ll still play with a lot of emotions, but I’m still gonna be me – Charles Mammie. I’m more matured now and more responsible. I’ll be good.” – Charles Mammie, center

“My role is to double my work more on defense. I can play for offense, but I need to play for the team. My goal is to bring the championship.” – Moustapha Arafat, forward

X-Factor: Bong Galanza

If you’re the unanimous choice of your coach and your teammates to be the impact player for this coming season, you have to have the guts to take the challenge head on, right?

Galanza is facing this quandary, but the 6-foot-3 swingman is looking to deliver the goods for UE, more that he’ll be playing his final season this year.

The 21-year-old will fill the void left by Lord Casajeros and Ralf Olivares in the wings, and Pumaren hopes that his outside sniping will space the floor more, giving the main bullets Sumang, Mammie, and Arafat room to operate in the perimeter.

“Big shoes yung kailangan kong punan. Ako yung naiwan na veteran na wing. Pressure din kasi di ako masyadong nagamit the last two years pero may tiwala naman sa akin yung mga kasama ko eh,” Galanza said.

Prognosis:

A lot of rival coaches think that UE will be a force to be reckoned with this season, as the Red Warriors are set to parade Arafat with Mammie in their rotation. But Pumaren said that this also works as a disadvantage in their part, as he cannot utilize his prized foreign players at the same time.

The bigger problem for Pumaren is how the squad would adapt to his patented press, more that UE has shone last year with the brilliance of Sumang setting his teammates up on the floor.

Pumaren, who has been an ardent believer of discipline, has infused his strict demeanor to the squad, and will be hoping to get huge minutes from his cast of team B players and rookies to support his stars’ production.

Aside from Galanza, veterans Gino Jumao-as, Dan Alberto, and Chris Javier will be pressed to support the trio of Sumang, Mammie, and Arafat as UE’s focal point on offense.

You don’t have to doubt Sumang if he can deliver the goods for the Red Warriors, as many are expecting a breakout season from the Tondo native.

But for Pumaren, their season will lie more on the concept of teamplay, on how successful will the other guys step up come Season 77, and not just on an individual’s performance.

*****

UAAP Previews: Adamson | Ateneo | La Salle | FEU | NU | UE | UP | UST

UAAP Season 77 Primer: Adamson Soaring Falcons

Originally posted on the Balls Channel website

Head Coach: Kenneth Duremdes (1st season)

Last Season: Seventh Place (4-10 in the eliminations)

Key Losses: Coach Leo Austria, Jericho Cruz, Rodney Brondial, Ingrid Sewa, Roider Cabrera, Gian Abrigo, Eric Cabigas, Michael Agustin, Matthew Bernabe

Holdovers: Ryan Monteclaro, Don Trollano, Axel Iñigo, Jansen Rios, Dawn Ochea

Key Acquisitions: Joseph Nalos (transferee), Alex Barrera, Matthew Aquino, Ivan Villanueva, Christian Garcia, Francis Donahue, William Polican, JR Gumtang, Jess Pedrosa, Harold Butron, Kevin Baytan

The Coach Says:

“Basically, more on rebuilding tayo. We’re trying our best so that we can develop players in a quicker way. Wala yung mga veterans natin, especially with the early departure of Jericho (Cruz) to the professional league, so malaking trabaho ang ginagawa natin ngayon hoping that these young players that we recruited to this team can adapt and learn at the quickest way.” – coach Kenneth Duremdes

The Players Say:

“More or less, magiging tough season ito for us. Pero we’re very optimistic with the new system, plus I think I speak for everyone, we don’t have stars. So basically, we’re relying on teamwork. No individual go-to guy, walang specific na pupuntahan yung bola, and everybody’s licensed to do each of their roles.” – Ryan Monteclaro, guard

“Mahirap kasi we have new coaches, pero right now, naa-adapt na namin yung system ni coach Kenneth. Undersized yung team, but we’re preparing to give our full effort.” – Jansen Rios, forward

“Kailangang mag-step up lahat kasi ang daming rookies at wala pa silang experience sa ganung laban. Yung UAAP, mabigat na competition yun. Pero ine-expect ko na makapasok kami ng Final Four.” – Don Trollano, forward

X-Factor: Ryan Monteclaro

Though Duremdes has been preaching about teamwork to this young squad, he will still rely on his five holdovers from last year’s squad to be the shining light for the Falcons.

Expect the 5-foot-7 Monteclaro to be at the forefront of each of Adamson’s battles this season, as the team captain has been more than just a vocal leader for his raw teammates.

Whether it may be barking instructions from the sidelines, hollering when his teammates have executed a right play, or stabilizing Adamson’s play when he is on the floor, Monteclaro has really been a big help for Duremdes, and even Captain Marbel knows that the 22-year-old senior will be a key cog in the Falcons’ future this year.

But in Monteclaro’s part, he doesn’t want to shy away from the ideals his PBA legend coach is instilling to the squad.

“Our team, we’re undersized talaga. We lack individual talent. But yung potential ng team given na maraming talented rookies, andoon eh,” he said. “We’ll be there sa season ready for any battle. Even if we’re undersized and too young, we still believe that we can make some noise sa UAAP.”

He added, “We’ll be the underdogs of this season, and we believe in coach Kenneth and coaching staff. We are very motivated and inspired sa mga naririnig namin. The Adamsonians are going back to its rebuilding days, pero maganda dito is we’re going to surprise everybody in the league.”

Prognosis:

We have to be frank. Not much is expected from this year’s Soaring Falcons.

Losing their coach and basically the core players from last season’s campaign, Duremdes has been tasked in forming a ragtag crew, and it doesn’t help that the team has only been together for a month or so.

That isn’t going to be accepted as an excuse for a possibly tough season for Adamson, but knowing Captain Marbel, he wouldn’t fold that easy.

With only five holdovers from last year’s roster, the Falcons need to step up their game, more that from the point guard position to the center position, they will be thoroughly undersized.

How would Duremdes address that? Defense, he says.

Adamson will take their physical style of play from last season in grinding out possible wins this year, and the team believes that with the teamwork that they have, better things are ahead of them.

Sure, maturity would be a big issue, but it would be left to Duremdes and his coaching staff to fast track the players’ development for them not to succumb in the pressure of the bright lights of the UAAP.

*****

UAAP Previews: Adamson | Ateneo | La Salle | FEU | NU | UE | UP | UST

UAAP Season 77 Primer: UP Fighting Maroons

Originally posted on the Balls Channel website

Head Coach: Rey Madrid (2nd season)

Last Season: Eighth Place (0-14 in the eliminations)

Key Losses: Raul Soyud, Sam Marata, Chris Ball, Paul Desiderio, Jason Ligad, Kyle Suarez, Julius Wong, Andre Paras

Holdovers: Kyles Lao, Henry Asilum, JR Gallarza, Agustini Amar, Andrew Harris, Martin Pascual, Mo Gingerich

Key Acquisitions: Mikee Reyes (returnee), Dave Moralde (transferee), Mark Juruena (returnee), Diego Dario, Gelo Vito, Jarell Lim, Carlo Escalambre, Darwish Bederi

The Coach Says:

“For us, there’s no pressure. It’s an expectation on our part that we should come out with three wins this season. We are capable of winning against any other team on a good day.” – coach Rey Madrid

The Players Say:

“We’re being realistic. Unlike the previous years, we’re looking one game at a time this year. We want to compete and give ourselves a chance to win in the end game. We know na mahirap yun kasi other teams have way better lineup on paper. But we just have to stay in the game and pagpasok ng crunch time, give ourselves a chance to win.” – Mikee Reyes, guard

“We want to come through for coach Rey. For him to guarantee three wins, I think we can really get that for him. For the things he has done for us, we will fulfill his promises as our coach.” – JR Gallarza, forward

“Last year, it was really a shocking surprise for us na nag-change (ng coaches during the season). Right now, I can say that the coaching staff are more ready. We’ve been preparing since last year, and this season, we’re gonna compete.” – Kyles Lao, guard

X-Factor: Dave Moralde

Taking his talents to a UP squad which badly needs firepower, the former San Beda Red Lion has made the most of the minutes he has been given in the Fighting Maroons lineup.

Moralde, 22, will bring his championship pedigree from the Red Lions in the NCAA, but it would take more than experience to lift UP, as he and JR Gallarza are at the forefront of the Maroons’ wing rotation.

“Kahit may mga nawalang key players, magko-compete kami. Panibagong year ‘to for us and gagawin lang namin yung mga pinapagawa ni coach para manalo,” he said. “We just need to have maturity sa games when it comes to decision making, on making our teammates involved with our plays.”

Prognosis:

For the first time in a few years, we can really say that, as cliché as it may sound now, things are looking up for UP.

Better prepared this year with Madrid manning the sidelines from the start of the preseason, the young guns of Diliman has shown a lot of upside and could still develop as the season goes.

Expectations weren’t really high after uneventful outings in the better part of the past decade, but with the Maroons’ current crop of guys, the team has the potential to make noise in the next two to three years.

Last season’s Rookie of the Year Kyles Lao could be seen as a key component in UP’s season, as he and returning guard Mikee Reyes will anchor the plays as Henry Asilum and rookie Diego Dario will miss a chunk of the games due to their national youth team obligations.

Moralde and Gallarza will be there, but with a team that has a low ceiling, Mark Juruena and Gelo Vito needs ample help in the paint when it comes to rebounding.

The Iskos aren’t really setting their hopes high, but don’t be surprised if they bring down a few heavyweights and back up Madrid’s vow in the preseason that they’ll win at least three games.

*****

UAAP Previews: Adamson | Ateneo | La Salle | FEU | NU | UE | UP | UST