Two of the most popular collegiate basketball leagues in the Philippines – the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) saw the close of the first round of men’s hoops action on the very same hour of the very same day. This is maybe the first this happened since the NCAA expanded to 10 teams, and this coming weekend, the UAAP won’t waste time as it resumes second round of action while the NCAA will hold its inaugural All-Star Game.
The end of the first round, compared to the pre-season, is the best time to make a final four prediction. At least in the first round, we have seen the gameplay of each of the team’s players, the coaching system of respective teams, the tendencies and nuances of the games. For this edition of Final Four-cast, let us predict the highly unpredictable UAAP.
National University
First round: 5-2, tied for second
Wonder boy Bobby Ray Parks and long-time center Emmanuel Mbe have left yet it seems that National U is poised to repeat a top one finish. Prior to Season 77, the Bulldogs were all about the Parks and Mbe connection. But now, the team plays better music as each player – from the starters, down to their second stringers – play their role very well.
What’s dangerous about the current NU setup is that it suits well the coaching style of Eric Altamirano, which puts premium on offense from the post, instead of the guard oriented slash-and-shoot type. The types of Troy Rosario, Alfred Aroga, Gelo Alolino, and bench sparkplug Glenn Khobuntin fit this system.
While they were messy against Far Eastern University and De La Salle, what’s important for the Bulldogs is that they played beautifully in the first round and if this is sustained in the end and will learn their lessons from last season’s final four boo-boo, they might grab their first trophy since nineteen-fifty-something.
University of the East
First round: 3-4, tied for fifth
The first round has been so unforgiving for the Red Warriors.
After walloping University of the Philippines and Adamson University, they lost their next four games by just a few inches, the most excruciating of which is against Ateneo de Manila. What’s baffling is that they force the most number of turnovers in the league, thanks to full court press system of Derrick Pumaren, which we last saw from De La Salle University in the early 1990s. They have the best point guard in the league with Roi Sumang, yet they always fall short in the endgame.
For UE to bounce back, they just need to learn to adjust in the second half, particularly in executing their offense.
They are a big team beefed up by Charles Mammie and Moustapha Arafat, and Chris Javier has shifted fully to the power forward position. Their guards and swingmen are big, athletic, and have that lethal shooting touch. There is no reason for UE to miss the final four bus this time, and what they need is composure in executing a second-round domination.
Far Eastern University
First round: 5-2, tied for second
I’m looking at the best Tamaraws team in a long time. No more razzle-dazzle, no more ballhogs, just pure, pass-first, team-oriented basketball.
Nash Racela hopefully has found the right combination with this roster. Finally, a guard-forward tandem leads the team while Anthony Hargrove has been a scrappy defender down low. Carl Bryan Cruz has learned to play the 3 position and is playing basic but effective basketball.
The danger about FEU basketball, though, is its youthful second unit. But for a coach like Racela, it’s better for youngsters to back up the old guards and not the other way around. There is a budding development in Morayta, and the Tamaraws are a force to be reckoned with in the next five seasons.
Ateneo de Manila University
First round: 6-1, first
Ateneo may have the first round with the best record, but they are only half a game ahead of their next three rivals.
For one, Ateneo has yet to convince me with a rout against the likes of NU, FEU, and UE. They may have dominated La Salle in their first encounter but it is a one-time thing. They cannot afford to merely escape squeakers. And besides, Ateneo is over dependent on Kiefer Ravena. The other guys must step up.
Still, this unit is poised to return to the Final Four because of good outside shooting and high-octane offense. Von Pessumal has upped his game and he’s been fun to watch so far. Chris Newsome still plays sidekick to Ravena while Arvin Tolentino has flexed his muscles in the low post.
What Ateneo needs though to stay on top is a solid frontcourt that’s not dependent on the nimble legs of a high school MVP.
De La Salle and Santo Tomas: Falling from grace?
Last year’s finalists La Salle and UST were not included here because first, I can’t imagine La Salle surviving without an ace playmaker in Thomas Torres and big man Arnold Van Opstal. You can’t wage a championship run on Jeron Teng alone. Besides, Vosotros is having a hard time in playmaking; he’s really not a point guard.
On UST’s end, it’s obvious that the Jarencio era has come to an end. No more “pride, puso, palaban” in their game. Something’s missing in their gameplay, and that’s not the weakening “Go USTe!” chant from the gallery.
Photos by Martin San Diego and Kristine Barreiro
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