MORE than a few of the brightest collegiate stars are playing out their last year of eligibility in UAAP Season 88.
And it follows that these players will be those counted upon to show the way for their respective squads in what seems to be an uber-competitive climb to the mountaintop presently occupied by the University of the Philippines.
With these names standing at the forefront for opening weekend on September 20 and 21 at the University of Santo Tomas Quadricentennial Pavillion, how high should your confidence level be for your favorite team?
Gerry Abadiano - UP Fighting Maroons
Gerry Abadiano has long been Goldwin Monteverde's extension on the court - from Adamson to NU-Nazareth School, and now, UP.
READ: Abadiano top student in Goldwin school of never-ending growth
For sure the 80-percent of the 'Maroon 5' in Harold Alarcon, Janjan Felicilda, Terrence Fortea, and Reyland Torres will also do their fair share in leading the title defense, but it's captain Abadiano's voice that will be heard the most and the loudest. At the same time, his consistent contributions at both ends will continue to be something his teammates need to emulate for State U to score back-to-back titles for the first time ever.
John Abate - UE Red Warriors
University of the East has had to traverse rough waters in the past years, what with player defections, difficulties with recruitment, and now, a coaching change. The good news for this season, though, is a steady hand in John Abate remains on the steering wheel.
READ: This is the last skill John Abate has to unlock to get to next level
Abate has been given the keys by new coach Chris Gavina to drive the Red Warriors to wherever he sees fit. With this being his second and last go-round in the UAAP, the Fil-Am guard will most definitely go all-out - and make sure his teammates are right there with him.
Jared Bahay - ATENEO Blue Eagles
Jared Bahay, one of the most hyped high school prospects in recent history, had for himself an up-and-down rookie campaign, just as once-mighty Ateneo crashed to the bottom of the standings.
READ: Jared Bahay feeling better in the driver's seat for Ateneo
For the Blue Eagles to take flight once more, they need their Cebuano playmaker to be more comfortable and confident with his game on the collegiate stage, while also determinedly taking the mantle of the blue-and-white campaign, just like the likes of Matt Nieto, Tyler Tio, and SJ Belangel once did for coach Tab Baldwin's contending outfits.
Jorick Bautista - FEU Tamaraws
For the second straight season, we're putting the onus on Jorick Bautista to carry the legacy of good-to-great guard play in FEU, which has seen the likes of Johnny Abarrientos, Terrence Romeo, and L-Jay Gonzales front the charge.
READ: After 'Pre-xit,' FEU still proves capable of 'excellent basketball'
Back from his days as a Baby Tamaraw, the sharpshooter has always been one to make his shots make noise, but even more so now after the 'Veejay Pre-xit,' Bautista needs to acknowledge and accept that he is the face of the Tamaraws - and it will be up to him to guide his side to an improvement on their solid start under coach Sean Chambers a year ago.
Nic Cabanero - UST Growling Tigers
Nic Cabanero's first two seasons in UST was spent fighting tooth and nail just to give his side a chance. His penultimate go-round then saw him finally make it to the Final Four. Now, he hopes he completes the perfect journey by captaining his crew to the finals - and maybe, just maybe, Espana's first men's basketball championship in nearly two decades.
READ: Cabanero a big believer in step-by-step success for finals-seeking UST
Of course, point guard Forthsky Padrigao will be right there with him, but Cabanero is the Thomasian through and through, and his last year will be a golden opportunity for him to see to it that his name lives on in Espana alongside those of Chris Cantonjos, Jervy Cruz, and Dylan Ababou.
Jake Figueroa - NATIONAL U Bulldogs
National U under coach Jeff Napa has been the very definition of a no-name outfit that nonetheless works well thanks to total team effort and system buy-in. But lurking underneath is actually an Asian import-caliber talent in Jake Figueroa.
READ: Seoul can wait as Figueroa's heart still firmly in place with NU
Never the flashiest, never the fanciest, all Figueroa is silently but surely making his presence felt all over the court. However, for the Bulldogs to get back to the Final Four, and even the finals, the Kapampangan needs to make his presence felt in the minds of his teammates as well for the well-oiled blue-and-gold machine to keep chugging along.
Mathew Montebon - ADAMSON Soaring Falcons
Mathew Montebon has been making a name for himself by making seemingly hot takes. But as he proved last season, his uncommon views are actually founded upon utmost confidence in Adamson.
READ: Montebon adamant Adamson has what it takes to reach finals
That's not changing anytime soon, as the Fil-Am guard has actually called it - it, being the Soaring Falcons reaching the finals. And who's to say they won't do so, especially with the unflinching faith Montebon has in himself and his teammates, unheralded and underrated as they may be.
Mike Phillips - LA SALLE Green Archers
Mike Phillips isn't known as 'Motor Mike' for nothing. With non-stop energy and effort, he's a younger, taller Cliff Hodge on steroids. But with Kevin Quiambao no longer in green-and-white, the burden of carrying a La Salle side hell-bent on reclaiming the crown now falls on his shoulders.
READ: Multilingual Mike Phillips already laying groundwork for future
It's an even taller task with this version of the Green Archers, filled with key holdovers such as Earl Abadam and JC Macalalag, talented transferees in Mason Amos, Kean Baclaan, Jacob Cortez, and Luis Pablo, and a prized rookie in NCAA juniors MVP Lebron Jhames Daep. While that may very well be a case of too many cooks in the kitchen, it's still Phillips who will determine if and when the green-and-white is cooking.
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