ROUND 3, anyone?
The University of the Philippines and La Salle are just a week removed from their epic showdown in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball finals, this time with the Fighting Maroons getting the better of the Green Archers.
READ: Respect prevails in aftermath of UP-La Salle all-out war
But who said we won’t see the same two protagonists in the championship duel for the third straight season in a year’s time?
It’s not an audacious claim. It's actually easy to foresee sustained greatness from these two teams come next season.
Now, the long countdown to the cage wars of Season 88 begins and both finalists are already jostling for position at the top.
Green-and-white cavalry
For La Salle, Kevin Quiambao may be off to greener pastures, but he’s fine knowing the cavalry is ready to avenge him.
READ: KQ alludes to not being part of La Salle's campaign next season
Leading the charge, of course, is Gilas Pilipinas peer Mason Amos who is looking to fill KQ's enormous shoes and pair up with Michael Phillips up front. More importantly, it’s a golden chance for redemption for the Fil-Aussie modern big who drew controversy from his highly-publicized move from Ateneo to the archrival Green Archers.
Kean Baclaan, the super scorer from National University, and Jacob Cortez, a former NCAA Finals MVP from San Beda, are also set to be activated next season, as they try to address the green-and-white's apparent Achilles heel in the backcourt.
And you said redemption, right? How about Luis Pablo, the former NCAA juniors MVP from La Salle Green Hills who spent a season in State U, but fell out of the rotation and is seeking a new start by re-igniting his Animo spirit? Or Rhyle Melencio, the highly-touted rookie who suffered an ACL injury, but is ready to help the frontcourt after a year on the sidelines?
Maroon-and-green shot in the arm
UP, of course, won’t be giving up the crown that easily even after the graduations of JD Cagulangan and Quentin Millora-Brown.
READ: Train from Butuan takes JD Cagulangan all the way to Korean dream
For one, ex-University of the East hotshot Noy Remogat is ready to cover the base left by the Finals MVP and is raring for glory, as he teams up anew with his former Red Warrior teammate Gani Stevens.
Nigerian big Francis Nnoruka is also poised to take the foreign student-athlete spot of Dikachi Ududo, which should be a massive upgrade for next season. At the same time, the 6-foot-9 Nigerian is also a good bet to make sure the Fighting Maroons don't skip a beat down low minus QMB.
And of course, there’s the likelihood of the arrival of blue-chip rookie Andy Gemao - the onetime Letran Squires standout and Gilas Youth mainstay - who spent last two offseasons training with State U before showcasing his skills in the U.S.
But that’s just for now.
With eight months still to go before the next collegiate wars, who knows how different landscapes will change.
But one thing’s clear, these two teams ain’t done retooling all the more with the high school basketball season just right around the corner.
And if there’s a guarantee to make, it's to expect another UP-La Salle duel to be the favored matchup for the crown for the third year in a row.
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